Late-life decline in well-being across adulthood in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States: Something is seriously wrong at the end of life.

• DOI: 10.1037/a0017543
• Publication Date: 2010-06-14T17:50:11Z
• Authors: Denis Gerstorf; Nilam Ram; Guy Mayraz; Mira Hidajat; Ulman Lindenberger; Gert G. Wagner; Jürgen Schupp
• Keywords: PsycINFO; Adult Development; Life course approach

Throughout adulthood and old age, levels of well-being appear to remain relatively stable. However, evidence is emerging that late in life declines considerably. Using long-term longitudinal data deceased participants national samples from Germany, the United Kingdom, States, we examined how long this period lasts. In all 3 nations across adult age range, was stable over but declined rapidly with impending death. Articulating notions terminal decline associated death, identified prototypical transition points each study between 5 years prior after which normative rates steepened by a factor or more. The findings suggest mortality-related mechanisms drive late-life changes highlight need for further refinement psychological concepts about when psychosocial functioning prototypically begin. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, rights reserved).