Awareness of age-related change: examination of a (mostly) unexplored concept

This theoretical article discusses the emerging concept of awareness of age-related change (AARC). We propose that a focus on AARC extends the research traditions on subjective age experiences and age identity and that examination of this concept can serve a stimulating role in social gerontology. A...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences Vol. 65B; no. 3; pp. 340 - 350
Main Authors Diehl, Manfred K, Wahl, Hans-Werner
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Oxford University Press for Gerontological Society of America 01.05.2010
SeriesJournals of Gerontology: Series B
Subjects
Aged
Aging - psychology
Attitude to Health
Awareness
Cognition
Educational Status
Humans
Individuality
Interpersonal Relations
Life Change Events
Physical Fitness - psychology
Psychological Theory
Self Concept
Sick Role
Social Identification
Socioeconomic Factors
Stereotyping
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Summary:This theoretical article discusses the emerging concept of awareness of age-related change (AARC). We propose that a focus on AARC extends the research traditions on subjective age experiences and age identity and that examination of this concept can serve a stimulating role in social gerontology. After defining and contrasting AARC against similar concepts, several reasons for the relevance of this mostly unexplored construct are provided. The sample domains of health and physical functioning, cognitive functioning, and interpersonal relations are used to illustrate the relevance of AARC. Based on this review, we then provide a heuristic framework that describes antecedents, processes, and outcomes related to AARC. Overall, we argue that research on AARC should become an integral part of social gerontological research.
ISSN:1079-5014
1758-5368
DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbp110