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The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Advance Access published online on October 29, 2009
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp079
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org.

Testing Continuity and Activity Variables as Predictors of Positive and Negative Affect in Retirement

Dolores Pushkar1, June Chaikelson2, Michael Conway1, Jamshid Etezadi3, Constantina Giannopoulus2, Karen Li1 and Carsten Wrosch1

1 Centre for Research in Human Development, Psychology Department
2 Psychology Department
3 Department of Decision Sciences and Information Management & Centre for Research in Human Development, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Address correspondence to Dolores Pushkar, PhD, Centre for Research in Human Development, Concordia University, 7141 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4A 1K1. Email: Dolores.Pushkar{at}Concordia.Ca


  Abstract

This study tested predictions based on continuity and activity theories, examining effects of continuity and change in activity parameters on positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). Retired men and women (N = 368) completed measures of everyday activities and affect, repeating the measures after 2 years. Continuity of activity parameters and affect was dominant, although number of activities decreased and ability in activities and NA increased. Changes in activity predicted changes in affect across time. Increased activity frequency, ability, ease, and future intentions predicted higher PA, and increased ability and ease in activity predicted lower NA. Maintaining same levels in activity parameters usually resulted in maintained PA. The results were interpreted as providing some support for both theories.

Key Words: Activity • Continuity • Positive and negative affect

Received October 21, 2008; Accepted September 20, 2009

Decision Editor: Rosemary Blieszner, PhD


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