Naslov
Age differences in the circumplex model of affect: An experience sampling study

Autori
Prizmić-Larsen, Zvjezdana ; Kaliterna Lipovčan, Ljiljana, Larsen Randy

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Abstracts / - , 2014

Skup
28th Intenrantionl Congress of Applied Psychology: From Crisis to Well-being

Mjesto i datum
Pariz, Francuska, 08.07.2014. - 13.07.2014

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
age; circumplex model; daily affect

Sažetak
Emotional well-being changes over the life span. It has been reported that older people experience positive affect as often as their younger counterparts. Also, they experience less negative affect in everyday life than younger people. The goal of this study was to extend this line of investigation to the range of affective states defined by the circumplex model of affect using data from an experience sampling study. The circumplex model defines affective experiences as the combination of two dimensions conceptualized as valence (pleasant- unpleasant) and level of arousal (high-low). There were total of 115 subjects divided into three age groups: young (N=30, age range 18-34, M=22), middle (N=34, age range 35- 54, M=45), and older (N=51, age range 56-84, M=68). Using experience sampling, subjects completed on-line reports consecutively for 60 days each evening. The task was to rate the variety of affective states they experienced that day on the 7-point scale, from 0 (not at all) to 6 (extremely much). Eight affective states were examined, described by two adjectives representing the affective circumplex: High-arousal unpleasant (nervous, irritable), Unpleasant (sad, unhappy), Low-arousal unpleasant (bored, sluggish), Lowarousal (passive, sleepy), Low-arousal pleasant (relaxed, calm), Pleasant (happy, pleased), High-arousal pleasant (excited, enthusiastic) and High-arousal (full of energy, strong). Group comparisons by age showed significant differences in the reports of Low-arousal, High-arousal unpleasant and Low-arousal unpleasant affective states. In other words, older subjects reported being less nervous, bored and passive during the day then their younger and middle aged counterparts. Both older and middle aged subjects were less unhappy and sad (Unpleasant) than younger subjects, while older subjects were more relaxed and calm (Low-arousal pleasant) than their younger counterparts. In accordance to previous findings, the unpleasant (or negative) affect, regardless of the arousal dimension, were felt less in everyday life by older people than younger people. Also, positive affective states were experienced similar across the age groups. However, we found that pleasant (or positive) affect with low-arousal were experienced more by older in comparison to younger people. The importance of both affect dimensions are emphasized in discussing the age differences in daily affect.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

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