Adjustment to Aging in Late Adulthood: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: This systematic review aims at providing a trustworthy overview of the concept of adjustment to aging (AtA) in late adulthood. Methods: A computerized literature search was carried out, and PubMed/Medline, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Scielo databases were searched for studies published from 1981 to 2012. Studies must have investigated AtA in old age. Results: Thirteen articles from 1291 records met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 1156 participants aged ≥ 60 years. There are rather consistent findings that older adults develop active and adaptive strategies during AtA, and that psychological variables, engagement with significant others, and social and temporal processes of comparison have a relevant role in AtA among older populations. Conclusion: The findings presented here contribute to a better understanding of AtA and its multidimensionality. These may be a starting point for further research in this insufficiently explored field.

Keywords

• adjustment to aging
• old age
• older adults
• systematic review