Age differences among older adults in the use of emotion regulation strategies. What happens among over 85s and centenarians?

Abstract

Objective: Past research on emotion regulation strategies has concluded that older adults use more passive strategies than young adults. However, we found scarce research in this field focusing on the oldest old (i.e. those aged 85 and over). The aim of this study was to analyze whether or not differences exist in the way older adults aged 85 and over (centenarians included) use emotion regulation strategies, in comparison with younger age groups (65–74 and 75–84 years old).

Method: Participants were 257 older adults from Spain, all aged between 65 and 104. The sample was divided into four age groups: 65–74; 75–84; 85–94; and 95–104 years old. Participants completed the Strategy Questionnaire after reading each of the vignettes designed to elicit feelings of either sadness or anger. The questionnaire measures four types of regulation strategies: Passive, Express, Solve and Seek.

Results: The 85–94 age group and centenarians were found to use proactive (Express, Seek) and Solve strategies less in comparison with younger age groups when regulating sadness and anger. In contrast, an increased use of Passive strategies was observed in the regulation of both emotions in the 85–94 age group. Significant differences were also found between centenarians and younger age groups in the use of Passive strategies for sadness, although not for anger.

Conclusion: Age differences were observed in the use of emotion regulation strategies, with older age groups using proactive strategies less and passive strategies more.

Keywords:

• age differences
• emotion regulation
• oldest old
• centenarians

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.