Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/111392 
Year of Publication: 
Jun-2015
Citation: 
[Journal:] Psychology and Aging [ISSN:] 1939-1498(Electronic) [ISSN:] 0882-7974(Print) [Volume:] 30 [Issue:] 2 [Publisher:] American Psychological Association [Place:] Washington D.C. [Year:] 2015 [Pages:] 301-310
Publisher: 
American Psychological Association, Washington D.C.
Abstract: 
How sociocultural contexts shape individual functioning is of prime interest for psychological inquiry. Secular increases favoring later-born cohorts in fluid intelligence measures are widely documented for young adults. In the current study, we quantified such trends in old age using data from highly comparable participants living in a narrowly defined geographical area and examined whether these trends would generalize to quality-of-life indicators. To do so, we compared data obtained 20 years apart in the Berlin Aging Study (in 1990–1993) and the Berlin Aging Study II (in 2013–2014), applied a case-matched control design (per cohort, n = 161, Mage = 75), quantified sample selection using a nationally representative sample as the reference, and controlled for number of physical diseases. The later cohort performed better on the fluid intelligence measure (d = .85) and reported higher morale, less negative affect, and more positive affect (ds > .39) than the earlier cohort. We concluded that secular advances have resulted in better cognitive performance and perceived quality of life among older adults and discuss when and how advantages of later cohorts reach their limits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)
Subjects: 
Aging
Cognitive Ability
Quality of Life
Sociocultural Factors
Well Being
Published Version’s DOI: 
Additional Information: 
This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal “Psychology and Aging”. It is not the copy of record. URL to the final published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pag0000016
Document Type: 
Article
Document Version: 
Accepted Manuscript (Postprint)

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