OBJECTIVES:This study examines whether perceived engagement in end-of-life planning translates into culturally specific patterns of formal (e.g., having a living will) and informal (e.g., discussing one's own death with relatives) preparatory activities by comparing older adults in Germany and South Korea, two countries with distinct cultural and legislative contexts. METHODS:Data were drawn from two sources: an online survey from the "Ageing as Future" project conducted in 2023 with German participants (aged 60+; n = 708), and an in-person tablet-assisted survey conducted in 2023/24 with Korean participants (aged 60+; n = 519). Two logistic regression models were applied to examine the interaction between perceived engagement in end-of-life planning and culture, focusing separately on formal and informal preparatory activities. Additional logistic regression models, matching German and Korean participants on key covariates, were conducted to test the robustness of the findings. RESULTS:The results showed that Korean older adults were significantly less likely to engage in both formal and informal preparatory activities compared to German older adults. However, among those who perceived themselves as preparing for the end of life, the likelihood of discussing one's own death with relatives was higher among South Korean older adults than their German counterparts. DISCUSSION:Our findings indicate that perceived engagement in end-of-life planning translates into more informal activities among Korean older adults, while it promotes both formal and informal activities among German older adults. These differences may reflect varying political, legal, emotional, and cultural attitudes toward death and dying in each culture.

Confronting mortality is an inevitable aspect of aging. This study distinguishes two strategies older adults may employ to cope with life’s finitude: death preparation (an assimilative, instrumental approach) and death acceptance (an accommodative approach). We examined whether these strategies differently predict life satisfaction, particularly when individuals perceive declining health. Data were drawn from the longitudinal Ageing as Future online study in Germany (2012–2023), collected at two-year intervals. A total of 664 older adults (aged 60–89 at baseline) contributed 1,592 observations in total. Using linear mixed modeling, we tested how engagement in death acceptance and death preparation (i.e., having a living will and/or having designated power of attorney) predicted life satisfaction at both between- and within-individual levels, depending on subjective health. We also explored whether the interplay of these approaches provides additional protective effects under deteriorating health conditions. Results showed that, although the presence of death preparation alone was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, it was not moderated by subjective health. In contrast, at both between- and within-individual levels, individuals who accepted death showed greater life satisfaction, especially when health perceptions were poorer. Notably, this protective effect of death acceptance was most pronounced among those without death preparation in place. Our findings indicate that, under conditions of declining health, death acceptance, conceptualized as an accommodative coping strategy, seems particularly adaptive. Therefore, fostering psychological preparedness and personal meaning in one’s remaining time may be beneficial as older adults face increasing aging-related challenges.

Future time perspective refers to our subjective perceptions of the future. These perspectives change across the lifespan, shaping our goals, and accordingly, our actions. Exploring future perspectives can support self-development while aging but may also evoke perspectives that are difficult to discuss. While the arts can provide a safe and creative environment for older adults to explore future time perspectives, studies in this field are scarce. The current qualitative study explored the future time perspectives of older adults as expressed through digital photocollage. This study was part of a larger project aimed at developing an online arts-based intervention for community-dwelling older adults. Twenty-four Italian and Israeli older adults aged 78–92 participated in a brief therapeutic online intervention integrating Dignity Therapy and digital photocollage. Visual and verbal data were analyzed using polytextual thematic analysis. Four themes emerged: three reflecting participants’ attitudes toward the future and one reflecting the evolution of future time perspectives during the creative process. The findings indicate that despite the short-term nature of the creative online intervention, and the complex topic at hand, participants expressed multiple future perspectives. The study also highlights the potential of digital and artistic methods to facilitate both the expression and the expansion of older adults’ future perspectives. These findings contribute to the growing literature on creative arts therapies in later life, demonstrating the potential of digital arts-based approaches in fostering meaningful engagement with future-oriented narratives among older adults.

Widowhood is a significant life event that can profoundly alter an individual’s perception of time. Those who have lost a spouse often find themselves reflecting on past memories, while simultaneously feeling disconnected from the present. However, the impact of widowhood on one’s experience and perception of time has not been thoroughly explored. In this study, we investigate changes in time perspective during the transition to widowhood using a multidimensional approach to temporal experience. This perspective enriches the existing literature, which has primarily focused on the predictive role of time perspective by providing new insights into how major life events can reshape an individual’s experience of time. The sample was drawn from seven measurement points between 2009 and 2023 in the Aging-as-Future longitudinal study. It consisted of 1357 participants aged 50 and older who either remained married throughout the study period (n = 1270) or transitioned to widowhood (n = 87). We assessed four facets of time perspective: past-orientation, feelings of obsolescence, concreteness of the future time, and attitudes toward life’s finitude as well as subjective life expectancy. While the transition to widowhood predicted an increase in past-orientation and in feelings of obsolescence, it predicted a decrease in concreteness of the future. Spousal loss did not influence individuals’ attitudes toward finitude, but those experiencing widowhood reported a decrease in their perceived remaining lifetime. Our study showed that widowhood may lead to shifts in time perspective. Findings underscore the value of considering time perspective as a key indicator of an individual’s adjustment and functioning in response to a major life event.

Human aging unfolds within a dynamic temporal perspective that encompasses the past, present, and future. Lifespan development theories suggest that as individuals grow older, heightened awareness of life’s finitude influences psychological adaptation, motivation, and behavioral choices, which should in turn influence their well-being. Building on these theoretical foundations, five presentations will examine various dimensions of human experience shaped by shifting temporal perspectives. First, Nicole Long Ki Fung explores the trade-offs older adults make among pro-hedonic, pro-family, and prosocial goals as they adapt to shorter perceived time horizons. Expanding on the theme of goals and preferences, Claire Growney examines how appreciation of remaining time is linked to well-being and social preferences in older adulthood. Addressing the topic of coping and resilience, JoNell Strough investigates the mediating role of different time perspective in the relationship between age and emotional well-being, particularly in response to challenging life events such as natural disasters. Yaeji Kim-Knauss further examines how older adults experiencing health declines over time cope with mortality through two self-regulation strategies, namely, death preparation and death acceptance, and their respective effects on life satisfaction. Finally, highlighting the expression of shifting time perspectives, Talia Elkarif demonstrates how creative activities serve as a medium for older adults to articulate and construct evolving views of the future. In closing, Yoav Bergman will synthesize the key findings of the five talks, emphasizing different adaptive responses to limited temporal horizons in later life and their theoretical as well as practical implications.

AbstractFindings from the Ageing as Future project prove that variability and vulnerability are the main characteristics of old age. The chapter discusses the project’s findings concerning the role of vulnerability of old age as a shared framework within which social diversity and ambivalence of aging manifests itself. It is suggested that based on such insights, it is time to understand and negotiate old age as what it is: another phase of life, different from previous ones.

AbstractThe diversity of age and ageing and the experience of old age was a central concern of the project Ageing as Future. From images of old age to provision for the future and actions over time, there is a consistent indication that age and aging can be best analyzed and understood related to specific life contexts.

Background Nurses in residential elderly care often encounter the desire of care-dependent individuals to die, including the consideration of assisted suicide due to their close interaction. The commercial promotion of assisted suicide is no longer prohibited in Germany following the nullification of 217 StGB. Few studies have investigated the burdens and support needs of nurses in this context. Moreover, there is a dearth of guidance for developing in-house positions on this complex issue. Goals To assess the burdens and needs of nursing staff in inpatient geriatric care using the example of the Diakonie in connection with the desire to die and for assisted suicide and to identify relevant aspects for the internal position of the institution. Methods Survey of nursing staff using a self-developed questionnaire. Subsequently, semi-structured based on interviews with experienced professionals were conducted on selected questionnaire results and for practical solutions for dealing with the desire to die and assisted suicide in inpatient care for the elderly. The data was analyzed descriptively and with Focused Content Analysis according to Kuckartz. Results The data from 434 nursing staff and 8 experienced professionals were analyzed. In the survey, 98% (n=423) of nurses stated that they had had experience of people expressing a wish to die, while 93% (n=403) denied that there had ever been an assisted suicide in their institution. Two-thirds of respondents (n=299) would like support in dealing with the desire to die and wishes for assisted suicide through supervision, further training, and clear instructions. The interviews (n=8) revealed that the appropriate qualification of nursing staff, the existence of a network, the team culture, and time resources were relevant factors for describing the positions of various stakeholders in dealing with assisted suicide. Conclusion Dealing with the desire to die and wishes for assisted suicide is of practical relevance for nursing staff in residential care for the elderly. The generalizability of the results is limited due to the diaconal context and should be examined for other settings. Based on the study results, three professional associations within the Diakonie Bavaria have developed a working aid for all employees to support joint internal positioning within the facility.

Introduction: Aging is often seen as a challenging process, prompting individuals to form emotional reactions in response to the perceived challenges associated with growing older, manifested as aging-related fears. The present study focuses on the fear of loneliness in old age, a significant concern considering the socioemotional importance of close relationships in later life. Drawing from proactive coping theory, the study explores the association between fear of loneliness and aging preparation. This research aimed to investigate whether the fear of loneliness motivates individuals to engage in activities aimed at preventing loneliness in old age. For exploratory purposes, we consider both linear and nonlinear effects at the interindividual level, as well as the intraindividual-level differences between fear levels and behavioral outcomes. In addition, we also investigate the moderating role of trait neuroticism in these associations. Methods: Data from the “Ageing as Future (AAF)” project in Germany (N = 1,183) spanning from 2012 to 2023 were utilized. A multilevel model considered both intra- and interindividual variations, incorporating time-varying variables and covariates. Results: Linear mixed model analysis revealed that increased fear of loneliness corresponded to heightened engagement in preventive activities linearly, while a quadratic term indicated an inverted U-shaped relationship. The inclusion of occasion-specific deviation scores showed that individuals were more inclined to engage in preventive activities when experiencing heightened fear of loneliness than usual. This impact of deviation in fear perception was particularly evident among those with high levels of trait neuroticism. Conclusion: The study reveals that fear of loneliness in old age is associated with proactive engagement in preventive activities, with those prone to higher levels of fear or worry being particularly affected. These results emphasize the importance of a moderate level of fear in driving action without succumbing to excessive pessimism or unrealistic optimism. The findings contribute to understanding the motivational role of aging-related fears and hold implications for gerontological practices, emphasizing the need for a balanced fear perception in addressing potential negative impacts of aging. Future research could explore moderators and long-term consequences of motivational aging-related fears.

Abstract End-of-life planning could manifest differently across cultures, shaped by prevailing social norms. This study examines behaviors associated with perceived engagement in end-of-life planning and explores potential cultural variations. We focus on two distinct cultures, Germany and South Korea, drawing on data from the ‘Ageing as Future’ project’s online survey conducted in 2023 for the German sample (aged 60+, n=708) and data collected between 2023 and 2024 for the Korean sample (aged 60+, n=519). We identify two outcome behaviors of interest: advance care planning (ACP) and discussions with relatives about one’s death, commonly known as formal and informal end-of-life planning, respectively. Logistic regression models revealed that perceiving oneself as actively engaged in end-of-life planning increased the likelihood of completing ACP, a finding consistent across cultures. Additionally, being German, older, female, and having higher education levels were associated with higher odds of ACP completion. Concerning discussions with relatives, on the other hand, perceiving engagement in end-of-life planning increased the likelihood of this informal planning, with a significantly stronger effect observed in the Korean sample compared to the German sample. Being German and having at least one child were also positively associated with engaging in these discussions. These findings suggest a greater reliance on informal discussions about death with relatives in the Korean context. Given the cultural differences and the lower prevalence of end-of-life discussions in Korea compared to Germany, the normalization of such discussions in Korea is needed, but with a culturally tailored approach.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Pflegende in der stationären Altenhilfe werden aufgrund ihrer engen Interaktion mit den Sterbewünschen der pflegebedürftigen Personen konfrontiert, welche den Wunsch nach dem assistierten Suizid umfassen können. Die geschäftsmäßige Förderung der Selbsttötung ist seit der Nichtigkeitserklärung von §217 StGB in Deutschland nicht mehr untersagt. Wenige Studien untersuchen bisher die Belastungen und Unterstützungsbedürfnisse von Pflegenden. Des Weiteren fehlen Anhaltspunkte entlang derer einrichtungsinterne Positionen zu diesem Themenkomplex erarbeitet werden können. Ziele Erfassung von Belastungen und Bedürfnissen der Pflegenden in der stationären Altenpflege am Beispiel der Diakonie im Zusammenhang mit Sterbewünschen und dem assistierten Suizid sowie Identifikation relevanter Aspekte für eine einrichtungsinterne Positionierung. Methode Befragung von Pflegenden mittels eines selbstentwickelten, nicht-validierten Fragebogens. Anschließende Durchführung von semistrukturierten Interviews mit im Pflegekontext ausgewiesenen Fachpersonen zu ausgewählten Fragebogenergebnissen und Praxislösungen zum Umgang mit Sterbewünschen und dem assistierten Suizid in der stationären Altenhilfe. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv sowie mit der fokussierten Inhaltsanalyse nach Kuckartz analysiert. Ergebnisse Die Daten von 434 Pflegenden und 8 Fachpersonen wurden ausgewertet. 98% (n=423) der Pflegenden gaben in der Befragung an, Erfahrungen mit der Äußerung von Sterbewünschen gemacht zu haben, während 93% (n=403) verneinten, dass es in ihrer Einrichtung schon einmal einen assistierten Suizid gegeben habe. Zudem wünschten sich zwei Drittel (n=299) der Befragten im Umgang mit Sterbewünschen und Wünschen nach dem assistierten Suizid Unterstützung durch Supervision, Fortbildungen und klare Handlungsanweisungen. Aus den Interviews mit fachlich erfahrenen Personen (n=8) ließen sich eine angemessene Qualifizierung der Pflegenden, das Vorhandensein eines Netzwerks, die Teamkultur sowie die zeitlichen Ressourcen als relevante Faktoren erkennen, anhand derer die Positionen verschiedener Interessengruppen zum Umgang mit dem assistierten Suizid beschrieben werden können. Schlussfolgerung Der Umgang mit Sterbewünschen und Wünschen nach dem assistierten Suizid ist für Pflegende der stationären Altenhilfe von praktischer Relevanz. Die Generalisierbarkeit der Ergebnisse ist aufgrund des diakonischen Kontextes beschränkt und ist für andere Settings zu prüfen. Auf Basis der Studienergebnisse wurde von 3 Fachverbänden der Diakonie Bayern eine Arbeitshilfe zur Unterstützung einer gemeinschaftlichen einrichtungsinternen Positionierung für alle Mitarbeitenden erstellt.

EditorialArts Therapies and Arts-Based Interventions for Older AdultsShoshi Keisari, Hod Orkibi, and Frieder R. LangShoshi KeisariDr. Shoshi Keisari, PhD, School of Creative Arts Therapies, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 5560249, Israel[email protected] The Drama & Health Science Lab, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel The Center for Research and Study of Aging, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel , Hod Orkibi The Drama & Health Science Lab, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Israel , and Frieder R. Lang Institute of Psychogerontology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany Published Online:February 27, 2024https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000336PDFView Full Text ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations Cite ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditE-Mail SectionsMoreReferences Beard, R. L. (2012). Art therapies and dementia care: A systematic review. Dementia, 11(5), 633–656. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301211421090 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar Dassa, A. (2024). Meeting through music: Online music-therapy sessions for people with dementia and their spouses. GeroPsych, 37(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000320 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar Dawudi, M., Schall, A., Tesky, V. A., & Pantel, J. (2024). The psychosocial and physiological effects of choir-singing in people with dementia. GeroPsych, 37(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000323 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar De Medeiros, K., & Basting, A. (2014). "Shall I compare thee to a dose of Donepezil?": Cultural arts interventions in dementia care research. The Gerontologist, 54(3), 344–353. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt055 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar Dunphy, K., Baker, F. A., Dumaresq, E., Carroll-Haskins, K., Eickholt, J., Ercole, M., Kaimal, G., Meyer, K., Sajnani, N., Shamir, O. Y., & Wosch, T. (2019). Creative arts interventions to address depression in older adults: A systematic review of outcomes, processes, and mechanisms. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 2655. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02655 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar Fancourt, D., & Finn, S. (2019). What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being. http://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/what-is-the-evidence-on-the-role-of-the-arts-in-improving-health-and-well-being-a-scoping-review-2019 First citation in articleGoogle Scholar Harel, D. (2024). Therapeutic puppetry as a drama therapy intervention for people living with dementia: A case study. GeroPsych, 37(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000333 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar Keisari, S., Palgi, Y., Yaniv, D., & Gesser-Edelsburg, A. (2022). Participation in life-review playback theater enhances mental health of community-dwelling older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 16(2), 302–317. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000354 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar Kronenberg, T.-A., Keisari, S., & Orkibi, H. (2024). Students' perceptions of crisis-mode tele-drama therapy training with older adults. GeroPsych, 37(1), 49–60. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000319 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar Leshem, E., & Harel, D. (2024). A patchwork quilt: Drama therapy and life-stories group with older adults. GeroPsych, 37(1), 25–35. https://doi.org/10.1024/1662-9647/a000325 First citation in articleLink, Google Scholar Orkibi, H., & Keisari, S. (2023). Creative Arts Therapies: Processes and Outcomes for Emotional Well-Being. In Z. IvcevicJ. D. HoffmannJ. C. KaufmanEds., The Cambridge Handbook of Creativity and Emotions (pp. 411–433). Cambridge University Press. First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar Sajnani, N., & Fietje, N. (2023). The Jameel Arts & Health Lab in collaboration with the WHO – Lancet global series on the health benefits of the arts. The Lancet, 402(10414), 1732–1734. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01959-1 First citation in articleCrossref, Google Scholar Yan, Y., Lin, R., Zhou, Y., Luo, Y., Cai, Z., Zhu, K., & Li, H. (2021). Effects of expressive arts therapy in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: A pilot study. Geriatric Nursing, 42(1), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.11.011 First citation in articleCrossref, Google ScholarFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Special Issue: Arts Therapies and Arts-Based Interventions for Older Adults in the CommunityVolume 37Issue 1March 2024ISSN: 1662-9647eISSN: 1662-971X Licenses & Copyright© 2024Hogrefe AGPDF download

In this research, we explore associations between (changes in) perceived generativity, subjective remaining life expectancy (SRLE), and psychological obsolescence in a longitudinal sample. We hypothesized a higher SRLE and a weaker obsolescence would be concomitants of higher perceived generativity. We also hypothesized that generativity would exhibit intraindividual fluctuation over time, which should relate to intraindividual fluctuation in the respective concomitants. Using multilevel modeling, several concomitants of generativity were investigated. The sample consisted of 518 German participants (aged 18–88 years) who took part in at least two of four measurement waves of the Ageing-as-Future online study spanning over 6 years. There was no mean-level increase or decrease in generativity over the 6-year study period. Despite this absence of linear time trends, individual perceived generativity still fluctuated considerably over time. The model showed that higher individual average SRLE and lower individual average psychological obsolescence resulted in higher average perceived generativity. Individual fluctuations in those constructs coincided likewise, implying that when individual SRLE increased and individual obsolescence decreased between two time points, perceived generativity tended to increase as well. There were significant quadratic, but no linear age effects. The findings suggest that perceived generativity depends not only on chronological age but several other time-related factors. Based on such results, we discuss implications for interventions and future research.

Abstract When imagining one’s future life in old age individuals may respond to an uncertain future with proactive and preparatory activity aiming to maximize possible rewards and minimize risks or costs. The current research applies an agentic perspective on aging preparation that emphasizes the role of individuals’ beliefs and attitudes in determining their engagement in actions. The present research aims to investigate the associations between action-related beliefs (perceived utility/risk) and situational cues (experience/appraisals of aging-related life challenges) with individuals’ engagement in aging preparation. Data comes from the “Ageing as Future” project, which includes multicultural (i.e., Germany, US, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Czechia), longitudinal (i.e., five measurement points spanning from 2012 to 2020), and lifespan data (i.e., aged 18 to 98). Results from a series of analyses indicate that perceiving more utilities, having experience in caregiving, and having health-related worries at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with engagement in aging preparation. However, the magnitude of these associations varied depending on the time perspective and cultural context. Findings suggest that individuals engage in aging preparation to attain desirable or to avoid undesirable outcomes in the future based on personal values and belief systems. The dynamic interplay of personal belief systems with temporal and cultural contexts was also highlighted that differently shapes individual’s agentic engagement in aging preparation.

It is a well-known finding that perceived finitude plays a critical role in the process of aging. The current article addressed how perceptions of finitude and eternity contribute to a soulful aging experience. Infinity is introduced as a temporal concept involving endurance and everlasting existence of time that marks the opposite end of finitude of a human life. Eternity, in contrast, relates to a timeless concept going beyond time without beginning or ending characterized by omnipresence. While the soul reflects eternity, the aging experience pertains to finitude. I suggest that the experience of soulful aging requires an integrative balance between reflections and perceptions of eternity and finitude. This involves a reappraisal of personal finitude into one of the three possible perceptions of infinity, that is, one that views infinity as not including the self, one that views infinity in being commemorated, and one that construes infinity as a possible afterlife of a soul. Conversing personal finitude into perspectives of infinity and eternity may also contribute to positive outcomes in the process of aging.

Abstract While worries are generally known to be aversive, behavioral theories have also addressed potential advantages of worrying throughout life. Drawing on this notion, the present study focused on the fear of loneliness in old age and its beneficial effects on individuals’ engagement in loneliness preventive activities. Data were collected from 702 German adults (aged 22-96) who had participated in at least two out of five measurement occasions with a time interval of two years. Fear of loneliness in old age was measured using a single item (i.e., how much do you fear being lonely in old age?) and loneliness preventive activities were measured as a mean score of five social activities specifying the very intention to prevent loneliness in old age (e.g., I actively pursued contacts with friends and acquaintances in order not to be lonely in old age). Based on longitudinal multilevel regression models, we found that at the between-person level old age, female gender, and better health were independently associated with higher average loneliness preventive activities. At the within-person level, participants reported more preventive activities on occasions when they were more feared for the loneliness in old age. Such benefits of fear were particularly reported on occasions when individuals reported less state loneliness at that time. Findings indicate that aging-related worry serves as a motivator for loneliness preventive activities, particularly in situations in which individuals felt socially well connected.

Abstract Human beings can represent future events, anticipate future consequences, and act in light of those representations to achieve the most favorable outcomes in the future. Although future-oriented thoughts or behaviors concern distant and delayed rewards than the present and instant ones, their roles in people’s well-being and successful aging have been well-reported. Therefore, what motivates or differentiates such future-oriented thoughts and behaviors has been a central focus in developmental psychology. With a particular interest in future-oriented phenomena regarding age and aging, we look at the roles of psychological or contextual factors that drive views on aging and old-age preparation. Cohn-Schwartz et al. examine how having contacts with older adults benefits self-views on aging via changes in aging stereotypes. Park & Hess explore how importance attached to functioning and perceived control over functioning in different domains predict old-age preparation and compare patterns across different age groups. Fung et al. propose that perceived control, self-relevance, and responsibility for old-age preparation could mediate the well-reported cultural differences in old-age preparation. Rupprecht et al. investigate the adaptivity of approach and avoidance motivation in old-age preparation across different life domains, cultures, and age groups. Kim-Knauss & Lang looks at how the experience of social restrictions during the pandemic functions as a ‘wake-up call’ and thus induces people to engage in old-age preparation. Taken together, we suggest that various psychological appraisals and contexts shape future-oriented thoughts and behaviors, but these may vary across cultures, age groups, and target domains.

ZusammenfassungIm Projekt Altern als Zukunft wurden Erwartungen, Einstellungen und Handlungen untersucht, die sich auf die Vorsorge für das Alter und auf die persönliche Zukunft beziehen. Im Vordergrund stehen drei Fragekomplexe, die sich dem Vorsorgehandeln widmen und dessen motivationaler Verankerung: Erstens geht es darum, wie Altersvorsorge ja nach Lebenskontext und Themenfeld verschieden gedacht, geplant und gestaltet wird. Zweitens geht es um die Bewertungen der möglichen Folgen des Vorsorgehandelns. Drittens werden die Wünsche behandelt, die Menschen für ihre Zukunft im Alter haben. Bei allen Fragekomplexen werden auch Einflüsse des Alters und des kulturellen Kontexts betrachtet.