Abstract

Objectives

To determine whether flexible goal adjustment moderates the link between self-rated health and subjective well-being longitudinally.

Method

Longitudinal data from 2002 to 2011 taken from a nationally representative sample of middle aged and older adults (≥ 40 years) – the German Ageing Survey. A single-item measure was used to assess self-rated health (ranging from 1 = very good to 5 = very bad). Flexible goal adjustment was measured using a scale developed by Brandstaedter and Renner. Subjective well-being was quantified using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Satisfaction with Life Scale.

Results

Fixed effects (FE) regressions showed that worsening self-rated health is associated with a decrease in positive affect (β=-.07, p<.001) and life satisfaction (β=-.09, p<.001) as well as an increase in negative affect (β=.04, p<.001). Flexible goal adjustment significantly moderated the link between self-rated health and positive (β=.03, p<.05) as well as negative affect (β=-.05, p<.01), i. e., the higher flexible goal adjustment is, the weaker the link is between self-rated health and well-being.

Conclusion

Study findings suggest that strategies to enhance flexible goal adjustment may be useful in maintaining well-being among older adults suffering from worsening self-rated health.

中文翻译：

---

灵活的目标调整可调节自评健康与主观幸福感之间的联系。来自一般人群的调查结果

摘要

目标

确定灵活的目标调整是否会纵向调节自评健康与主观幸福感之间的联系。

方法

2002 年至 2011 年的纵向数据取自具有全国代表性的中老年人（≥ 40 岁）样本——德国老龄化调查。使用单项测量来评估自评健康状况（范围从 1 = 非常好到 5 = 非常差）。使用 Brandstaedter 和 Renner 开发的量表来衡量灵活的目标调整。主观幸福感使用积极和消极影响表和生活满意度量表进行量化。

结果

固定效应 (FE) 回归表明，自评健康状况的恶化与积极情绪 (β=-.07, p <.001) 和生活满意度 (β=-.09, p <.001)的下降有关作为负面影响的增加（β=.04，p <.001）。灵活的目标调整显着缓和了自评健康与积极 (β=.03, p <.05) 以及消极影响 (β=-.05, p <.01) 之间的联系，即更高的灵活目标调整也就是说，自评健康和幸福感之间的联系越弱。

结论

研究结果表明，增强灵活目标调整的策略可能有助于保持自评健康状况恶化的老年人的幸福感。