For a better me? Or for a better us? Perceived utilities of aging preparatory activities and positive future thinking in
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ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION
For a better me? Or for a better us? Perceived utilities of aging preparatory activities and positive future thinking in Germany, USA and Hong Kong Yaeji Kim‑Knauss1 · Frieder R. Lang1 · Margund K. Rohr2,4 · Helene H. Fung3
© Springer Nature B.V. 2019
Abstract Engaging in aging preparatory activities that is perceived to be utile for oneself (e.g., to retain autonomy and independence) and for others (e.g., to retain a harmonious relationship with important others) may have a functional effect on one’s aging process. We examined how perceived self- and other-related utilities of aging preparatory activities were associated with positive future thinking across adulthood, and whether these associations differed by culture. Building upon cross-sectional data from a web-based study conducted in Hong Kong (n = 283, Mage = 55.12, aged 18–85 years), the USA (n = 264, Mage = 51.06, aged 20–85 years) and Germany (n = 402, Mage = 51.65, aged 19–90 years), we observed different patterns of associations across these three cultures. Perceiving self-related utilities was linked to positive future thinking in the USA and Germany, but not in Hong Kong. In contrast, perceiving other-related utilities of aging preparatory activities was positively associated with future thinking in Hong Kong, but not in the USA or Germany. Perceived risks, on the other hand, showed a negative association with positive future thinking across all cultures. Findings suggest that there might be a culture-specific tendency for individuals to appraise their future, based on their perceived self- or other-related utilities of aging preparatory activities. Keywords Perceived utilities · Perceived risks · Aging preparatory activities · Positive future thinking · Cross-cultural study · Culture · Self-construal
Introduction Aging brings about considerable challenges in diverse life domains. According to the life-span development perspective, individuals tend to co-shape their life as active agents to maximize positive developmental outcomes and minimize potential losses (Baltes and Baltes 1990; Baltes et al. 2006). Responsible editor: Matthias Kliegel * Frieder R. Lang [email protected] 1
Institute of Psychogerontology, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Kobergerstrasse 62, 90408 Nuremberg, Germany
2
Institute of Psychology, University of Leipzig, Neumarkt 9‑19, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
3
Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
4
Present Address: ZFBW, Evangelische Hochschule Dresden, Dürerstraße 25, 01307 Dresden, Germany
In this vein, we posit aging preparation, that is, mobilizing current resources for a better adaptation in old age, as a type of coping against age-related losses (Aspinwall and Taylor 1997), whose foundations are laid already in younger ages (Kornadt et al. 2018a; Stawski et al. 2007). Based upon studies that extended the scope of aging preparation beyond financial provision (Kornadt et al. 2018a, b), we take multiple life
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