COVID-Related Perceptions of the Future and Purpose in Life Among Older Canadian Women. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Newton, Nicky J.; Huo, Hua; Hytman, Lauren; Ryan, Cara
• Is Part Of: Research on aging. Volume 45:Number 5/6(2023)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: future time perspective -- COVID-19 -- psychological well-being -- older women; Old age -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- United States -- Periodicals; 305.2605
• DOI: 10.1177/01640275221092177
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0164-0275

Abstract

Global events that prime thoughts of proximity to death (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) can compress individuals' perceptions of future time horizons, and previous studies have found that compressed time horizons can be beneficial for older adults' well-being. However, findings from recent studies are mixed, and studies of well-being during the early months of COVID-19 show that older adults have fared comparatively well. The current study examines relationships between Future Time Perspective (FTP), COVID-19 impact, and purpose in life (PIL) among older Canadian women ( N = 190; ages 59+). We expected that total FTP would be positively associated with PIL but that FTP subscales would be associated with PIL in different ways; COVID-19 impact would not be associated with PIL, but COVID-19 impact would moderate the FTP-PIL relationship. We found partial support for these hypotheses, as well as prevalence of social connection themes in open-ended question responses regarding COVID-19 impact.