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Household members’ positive personality traits and age stereotypes do not predict perceived expectations for active aging

Author

Listed:
  • Sonja Radoš

    (Institute of Gerontology, University of Vechta)

  • Maria K. Pavlova

    (Institute of Gerontology, University of Vechta)

  • Klaus Rothermund

    (Friedrich Schiller University of Jena)

  • Rainer K. Silbereisen

    (Friedrich Schiller University of Jena)

Abstract

The household represents a proximal social context whose members can convey various expectations to each other, including expectations for active aging. We used a nationally representative sample (N = 2007, aged 16–94 years) to investigate the household predictors of perceived expectations for active aging (PEAA, i.e., “activation demands” targeting individuals as older adults) in three domains: physical health, mental health, and social engagement. We considered household members’ dispositional optimism, conscientiousness, age stereotypes, and the life goal of civic engagement. A set of preregistered multiple regression analyses indicated that, irrespective of age, household members’ life goal of civic engagement had a positive effect on individual PEAA in the social engagement domain, which disappeared upon controlling for the respective individual life goal. In middle-aged and older adults, household members’ conscientiousness unexpectedly had a significantly negative effect on individual PEAA in the physical health domain. Neither household members’ dispositional optimism nor their domain-specific age stereotypes had significant associations with individual PEAA. Our findings suggest that household members’ mindsets and attitudes play a limited role in predicting PEAA of individuals from the same household.

Suggested Citation

  • Sonja Radoš & Maria K. Pavlova & Klaus Rothermund & Rainer K. Silbereisen, 2025. "Household members’ positive personality traits and age stereotypes do not predict perceived expectations for active aging," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:22:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-025-00850-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-025-00850-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna E. Kornadt & Klaus Rothermund, 2011. "Contexts of Aging: Assessing Evaluative Age Stereotypes in Different Life Domains," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(5), pages 547-556.
    2. Laura Buchinger & David Richter & Jutta Heckhausen, 2022. "The Development of Life Goals Across the Adult Life Span," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(5), pages 905-915.
    3. Anna E. Kornadt & Eva-Marie Kessler & Susanne Wurm & Catherine E. Bowen & Martina Gabrian & Verena Klusmann, 2020. "Views on ageing: a lifespan perspective," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 387-401, December.
    4. Buchinger, Laura & Richter, David & Heckhausen, Jutta, 2022. "The Development of Life Goals Across the Adult Lifespan," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 77(5), pages 905-915.
    5. Laura Buchinger & David Richter & Jutta Heckhausen, 2022. "Correction to: The Development of Life Goals Across the Adult Life Span," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 77(5), pages 916-916.
    6. Ella Cohn-Schwartz & Dikla Segel-Karpas & Liat Ayalon & Shevaun Neupert, 2021. "Longitudinal Dyadic Effects of Aging Self-Perceptions on Health [Optimism: An enduring resource for romantic relationships]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(5), pages 900-909.
    7. Cornelia Pocnet & Julius Popp & Daniela Jopp, 2021. "The power of personality in successful ageing: a comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 18(2), pages 269-285, June.
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