An empirical examination of subjective age in older adults

ABSTRACTIt has been observed that subjective age (SA) often trails chronological age, especially in older adults. In a previously published article, we argued that differences in individual’s SA is a function of their level of activity on biological, mental, and social dimensions. This article empirically tests this proposition using a newly created Subjective Aging Index (SAI). The SAI is related to SA above the effect of age with differences existing across age groups and sex. The findings contribute to the literature on successful aging strategies with important implications for health care practitioners, marketers, and individuals heading towards older adult years.