Experiencing age-related change in adulthood: An exploratory study based on the concept of "Awareness of Age-Related Change" (AARC)

The present study used a newly developed concept and respective self-report questionnaire to assess adults' awareness of age-related change (AARC; Diehl & Wahl, 2010). The study sample consisted of 265 adults (69 % women; aged 40 - 87 years). An initial item pool of 60 items was factor-analyzed using a combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. These analyses yielded a factor of gain-related AARC and a factor of loss-related AARC across the five behavioral domains represented in the questionnaire's items. Based on this factor structure, an optimal item set of 2 x 16 items was identified (gain-related AARC: Cronbach's alpha=.82; loss-related AARC: Cronbach's alpha=.87; factor intercorrelation: r=-.05; RMSEA=.045). Expected associations of these two factors with conceptually meaningful correlates were supported. Specifically, loss-related AARC was positively correlated with neuroticism and negatively correlated with extraversion and indicators of successful aging. By and large, our findings supported the notion that aging is mostly associated with negatively perceived changes.