Momentary experience of successful aging among high-commitment volunteers and social innovators

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Tse, Dwight C.K. and Finley, Kelsey P. and Crawford, Linzi F. and Nakamura, Jeanne (2026) Momentary experience of successful aging among high-commitment volunteers and social innovators. Psychology and Aging, 41 (2). pp. 231-240. ISSN 0882-7974 (https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000972)

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Abstract

A significant body of research exists regarding the benefits of engaging in prosocial behaviors for older adults. However, less is understood about how prosocial behaviors are associated with the subjective experience and evaluation of successful aging in situ. Successful aging refers to a developmental process characterized by the achievement and maintenance of good health, high functioning, social engagement, and positive well-being. This study explored the relationship between prosocial engagement and subjective successful aging at the momentary level. The ebbs and flows of prosocial activity in daily life may carry costs and benefits at different times, especially among older adults who dedicate significant time and effort to prosocial avenues. A purposive sample of 165 older high-commitment volunteers and social innovators (Mage = 71.13, SD = 5.70) participated in a 7-day experience sampling study, responding to surveys at six random times per day. Results revealed that past-hour prosocial engagement was positively associated with both moment-level and person-level subjective successful aging indicators. These findings support an experiential, less static perspective on successful aging, highlighting how everyday prosocial actions are associated with older adults’ momentary perceptions of aging well.

ORCID iDs

Tse, Dwight C.K. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2725-1849, Finley, Kelsey P., Crawford, Linzi F. and Nakamura, Jeanne;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)