Examining the Role of Memorable Messages in the Process of Communication about Aging

ABSTRACT

Given that individuals have (some) agency to influence their own experiences of aging via communication, it is important to better understand factors that may play a role in these processes. Specifically, this study examined whether and how themes of aging-related memorable messages (e.g. aging involves physical or mental health struggles; age is merely a subjective state) and the extent to which a message offered a sense of positivity and efficacy predicted individuals’ efficacy assessments (coping, target, communication) and intention to seek additional information about aging processes. Analyses of responses from a sample of 232 older adults from the United States revealed that memorable message: (a) themes about aging predicted participants’ reports of memorable message positivity and efficacy, (b) valence predicted memorable message positivity and efficacy, and (c) characteristics (positivity and efficacy) predicted individuals’ efficacy assessments and, ultimately, intention to seek information about aging processes (both directly and indirectly). Results offer theoretical and practical implications.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. This study is part of a larger data collection effort to understand aging processes. Responses were also collected from participants aged 45–54 years old, but those data are not reported here.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.