TY - JOUR
T1 - A framework for studying mechanisms underlying terminal decline in well-being
AU - Gerstorf, Denis
AU - Ram, Nilam
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support provided by National Institute on Health Grants RC1-AG035645, R21-AG032379, R21-AG033109, R01-HD07994, R24-HD041025, and UL-TR00127; the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin; and the Penn State Social Science Research Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2015.
PY - 2015/5/4
Y1 - 2015/5/4
N2 - Multiple facets of well-being are known to show steep end-of-life deteriorations. However, the underlying mechanisms and pathways are vague. Capitalizing on an earlier review of the existing empirical literature on terminal decline, we present a conceptual/methodological framework that can be used as a tool to structure future inquiry aimed at refining the precision and specificity of the terminal decline concept. Specifically, we propose a model of terminal decline in well-being in which within-person mean levels of, inconsistencies in, or couplings among multiple domains of functioning serve as indicators or sources of well-being. The model, based on time-varying dynamic factor analysis of intensive longitudinal data, provides for concise articulation and testing of central tenets of theories of successful aging, including hypotheses regarding shifts in goals away from some domains and towards others (e.g. secondary control). We conclude by suggesting routes for empirical research.
AB - Multiple facets of well-being are known to show steep end-of-life deteriorations. However, the underlying mechanisms and pathways are vague. Capitalizing on an earlier review of the existing empirical literature on terminal decline, we present a conceptual/methodological framework that can be used as a tool to structure future inquiry aimed at refining the precision and specificity of the terminal decline concept. Specifically, we propose a model of terminal decline in well-being in which within-person mean levels of, inconsistencies in, or couplings among multiple domains of functioning serve as indicators or sources of well-being. The model, based on time-varying dynamic factor analysis of intensive longitudinal data, provides for concise articulation and testing of central tenets of theories of successful aging, including hypotheses regarding shifts in goals away from some domains and towards others (e.g. secondary control). We conclude by suggesting routes for empirical research.
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U2 - 10.1177/0165025414565408
DO - 10.1177/0165025414565408
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84930519295
VL - 39
SP - 210
EP - 220
JO - International Journal of Behavioral Development
JF - International Journal of Behavioral Development
SN - 0165-0254
IS - 3
ER -