Change in subjective age among the elderly: an eight-year longitudinal study.

Abstract

Changes in subjective age were investigated with a sample of older Mexican Americans and Anglos over an 8-year period (1976-1984). It was found that people who changed from youthful ("young" or "middle-aged") to old ("old" or "very old") subjective ages were significantly different than persons retaining youthful subjective ages on several factors: they were chronologically older, were more likely to be Mexican Americans, and had reported declines in their self-assessed health. These were the exact same differences observed cross-sectionally which renews faith in cross-sectional data in this area. A few people reversed their subjective ages (from old to youthful) over time, but we found no evidence that they had experienced improvements in their health or social situation.