Emotion in middle- and late-adulthood : an exploratory study

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Psychology
Degree name
Master of Arts
Publisher
University of Canterbury
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
English
Date
1989
Authors
Taylor, Karyn Elizabeth
Abstract

The major purpose of this exploratory study was to provide a general view of how certain aspects of emotional functioning may change during middle­ and late-adulthood. The sample comprised 150 white, predominantly middle-class adults. Subjects were divided into three groups of fifty; 'middle-aged', 40-54 years, 'young-old', 55-69 years, and 'old-old', 70-91 years. The oldest group was further sub-divided into two groups, those aged 70-79 years, and those aged 80-91 years. The research instrument was a questionnaire consisting of Likert-type response items designed specifically for use in the current study. While analyses disclosed differences between the age groups on a number of aspects of emotional functioning they also revealed a number of similarities. Older people, even those aged over 80, did not report experiencing any more negative or any less positive emotions than their younger counterparts. There was also no indication that older people, at least those aged 55 to 70 years, experience less emotion overall. although when the oldest group was sub-divided it emerged that those over the age of 80 years reported experiencing every emotion except fear less frequently than their younger counterparts. Results revealed only a slight trend toward a lessening of emotional intensity with age, but suggested that there may be age-related differences in the intensity of a number of specific emotions. Subjects appeared to perceive the existence of age-related display rules concerning the expression of emotion, with older people perceiving these rules as being the most constrictive. These display rules appear to be emotion specific, primarily affecting negative emotions. Paradoxically, however, despite older people's perception of more constrictive age-related rules concerning emotional expression, they did not report placing any more control over the expression of emotion than younger individuals. Results were discussed in relation to theory and previous research and a number of directions were indicated for future research in the area.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Emotions
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
All Rights Reserved