Psychology and Aging Network

The Psychology and Aging Network will provide a platform for research collaboration and cross-disciplinary exchange to advance the theory-guided integration of psychological research in population surveys. Psychologists have a long tradition of longitudinal and interdisciplinary research with select samples. Examples of such studies include the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, Berlin Aging Study, Normative Aging Study, Terman Life-Cycle Study, Swedish Twin Study, and the Seattle Longitudinal Study. These studies have informed a number of theories about the processes of psychological change and the complex interactions among social, psychological, and biophysical factors that shape trajectories of aging and longevity (e.g., Contrada, Cather, & O'Leary, 1999; Ryff, Kwan, & Singer, 2001; Smith & Spiro, 2002). Many of these theories take a lifespan and life course perspective and consider multilevel systems of change. Interest lies, for example, in understanding the long-term effects of relatively stable individual differences in psychological functioning established early in life (e.g., personality, intelligence) as well as the effects of other personal and behavioral characteristics that change over time (e.g., self-related beliefs, emotions, stress, social interactions, relationships, and lifestyle). Small sample studies suggest that several aspects of personality (e.g., conscientiousness, neuroticism) and intelligence are associated with health and longevity. Other individual characteristics, such as an optimistic view of life, sense of personal mastery, and close personal relationships, have also been linked to positive health outcomes. To date it is not known if these findings from relatively small samples generalize to populations. Several international studies with nationally representative samples, including HRS, MIDUS, ELSA, and SHARE, now include psychosocial items and questionnaires in their protocol. These initiatives have established a unique opportunity for researchers in psychology and other disciplines to examine proposals about the role of individual-level psychosocial factors in relation to social disparities and health at a population level. The broad objectives of this network are to stimulate and optimize strategic discussion, collaboration, and dissemination of population-based findings about the role of psychosocial factors in health and well-being in midlife and old age. These objectives will be achieved through four activities: annual workshops, exchanges with other national and international networks, coordinated publication, and creation of a web site and internet-based discussion group. The annual meetings will be organized thematically to address: 1) findings about specific psychological factors (e.g., personality, stress, self-esteem, mastery, loneliness, cognitive ability), and 2) efforts to harmonize measurements across surveys to optimize comparative research. A growing body of research indicates that various aspects of psychological functioning (e.g., personality, self-related beliefs, cognitive skills, and personal relationships) uniquely predict significant life event and health outcomes during midlife and old age and moderate the effects of social and biophysical factors (e.g., Adler, Marmot, McEwen, & Stewart, 1999; Ben-Shlomo & Kuh, 2002; Berkman, 2000; Conger & Donnellan, 2007: Gallo & Matthews, 2003; House, 1981; Ozer & Benet-Martinez, 2006; Steptoe & Marmot, 2002; Schnittker & McLeod, 2005; Rowe & Kahn, 1998; Seeman & Crimmins, 2003; Taylor, Repetti, & Seeman, 1997). Until the last decade, few researchers from the fields of psychology (e.g., clinical, developmental, individual differences, cognition, health, and social psychology) were associated with large population studies.

The Institute for Social Research includes several psychologists who are well known for their cross-disciplinary collaboration and research on health and well-being. The network will be organized by Jacqui Smith and include Norbert Schwarz, Patricia Reuter-Lorenz, Toni Antonucci, and James Jackson as core members, together with ISR researchers from allied disciplines (e.g., Bob Schoeni, David Weir, Mary Haan, George Kaplan, Jim House, John Bound). We also anticipate the participation of at least 10 members external to Michigan. We anticipate a network that represents psychologists and researchers in allied disciplines from several US institutions and large studies (e.g., MIDUS, NSHAP). The network will also provide a platform for international exchange with researchers in studies that include psychosocial assessment (e.g., ELSA, SHARE, German Longitudinal Study of Aging, Berlin Aging Study, Australian Network of Research on Aging, Swedish Twin Studies). International exchanges will involve such activities as cross-participation workshops and cross-dissemination of findings and publications. Smith brings a history of international network organization from her previous work in Germany as former deputy director of MaxnetAging and co-director of the Berlin Aging Study.