19 - Well-Being across the Life Course

Summary

Research on well-being across the life course usually maps the average levels of depression and anxiety. The predominant type of distress shifts from active (anxiety and anger) to passive (depression) as person's age. This chapter describes the emotional trajectories of adulthood and the five views of age which includes maturity, decline, life-cycle stage, generation, and survival helps researchers understand why emotions change as people age. It also discusses the conditions and beliefs that change across adulthood, shaping the trajectories of emotions. A number of factors come together to produce the low and declining sense of control observed among old Americans. They represent many aspects of age, including physical decline; the life cycle of employment, earnings, and marriage; and the generational trends in education and women's employment. Emotional well-being in old age rests on economic, interpersonal, and physical well-being built throughout adult life.