Choosing Solitude: Age Differences in Situational and Affective Correlates of Solitude-Seeking in Midlife and Older Adulthood.

Lay, Jennifer C; Pauly, Theresa; Graf, Peter; Mahmood, Atiya; Hoppmann, Christiane A

doi:10.1093/geronb/gby044

Cited by 90Aging and Gerontology ResearchAging, Health, and DisabilityHealth disparities and outcomes

Choosing Solitude: Age Differences in Situational and Affective Correlates of Solitude-Seeking in Midlife and Older Adulthood.

Lay, Jennifer C, Pauly, Theresa, Graf, Peter, Mahmood, Atiya, Hoppmann, Christiane A·2018·The Journals of Gerontology Series B

DOI 10.1093/geronb/gby044

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Despite a basic need for social connection, individuals across the adult lifespan sometimes seek solitude-a phenomenon that is not well understood. This study examined situational and affective correlates of solitude-seeking and how they may differ between middle-aged and older adults. METHOD: One hundred community-dwelling adults aged 50-85 years (64% female, 56% East Asian, 36% European, 8% other) completed approximately 30 electronic daily life assessments over 10 days regarding their current location, affect, activities, and current and desired social context. RESULTS: Solitude was common; 86% of solitude instances happened by individuals' own choosing. When desiring solitude, older adults were more likely to be at home and less likely to be outdoors, compared to other locations. Middle-aged adults showed no such solitude-location associations. Among middle-aged adults, desire for solitude was associated with decreased positive affect. Older adults experienced no such dip in affect. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that compared to middle-aged adults, older adults are more likely to go to locations that match their desired social context, and also that solitude-seeking has more positive ramifications for older adults. Findings are discussed in the context of age differences in activities, social preferences, and emotion regulation.

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From Dealing With the Pandemic of COVID-19 in Portugal: On the Important Role of Positivity, Experiential Avoidance, and Coping Strategies (2021) · cites this paper as Lay et al., 2018

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Authors: Lay, J. C., Pauly, T., Graf, P., Mahmood, A., & Hoppmann, C. A.
Affiliations: University of British Columbia (CA)
Simon Fraser University (CA)
Corresponding author: Hoppmann, Christiane A
ORCID: Lay, Jennifer C
Pauly, Theresa
Graf, Peter
Mahmood, Atiya
Hoppmann, Christiane A
Venue: The Journals of Gerontology Series B
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2018-04-16
Volume: 75
Issue: 3
Pages: 483-493
ISSN: 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
1758-5368
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby044
OpenAlex: W2799326976
Cited by: 90
References: 39
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1
FWCI: 10.90
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: academic.oup.com/journals/pages/about_us/legal/notices (am)
Locations: The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (acceptedVersion)
RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
Figshare (submittedVersion)
Funders: Vancouver Foundation (UNR12-0926, UNR13-0484)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
Keywords: age differences, middle-aged adults, older adults, positive affect, social environment, location choice, emotion regulation, social preferences, everyday life
MeSH terms: Ecological Momentary Assessment, Emotional Regulation, Affect, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Social Behavior

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Choosing Solitude: Age Differences in Situational and Affective Correlates of Solitude-Seeking in Midlife and Older Adulthood.

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