A Lifespan Portrait of Aging Expectations and Health Behaviors

Abstract

Although the risk of disease and disability clearly increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Research shows that over-attributing health conditions to old age is associated with less use of preventative health measures. In fact, older adults who have more positive self-perceptions of aging practice more preventative health behaviors than those with more negative perceptions. The current research examined expectations and attitudes about aging as related to health behaviors in younger adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Results reveal that senior women have the most negative attitudes toward health and aging while younger women have more positive health expectations, more internal control, and a greater health status. Most importantly this research shows that expectations are related to health appraisals and behaviors.

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