How do “Young-old” Adults Project their Self? A Study of Self-defining Future Projections in Normal Ageing

Background: Self-defining future projections (SDFP) are mental representations of plausible and highly significant future events that provide core information of one’s understanding of self. Objective: We explored SDFPs in a large sample of older adults and aimed to target the interrelations between the main dimensions of SDFPs. Moreover, correlations between these dimensions and clinical and cognitive variables were examined. Methods: We recruited 87 young-old adults (60-75 years) with normal cognitive functioning who were asked to generate three SDFPs. Results: We found integrative meaning as a salient dimension and older individuals preferentially generated projections containing leisure or relationship events. Anxiety and self-esteem were correlated with integrative meaning and high executive functioning was found to be protective towards the simulation of future events containing dependence and death or end-of-life events. Conclusion: This study will contribute to the understanding of personal goals and identity in normal ageing.