The Role of Emotion Dynamics in the association between Age and Psychological Well-Being

Huang, Faye (2024) The Role of Emotion Dynamics in the association between Age and Psychological Well-Being. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Recent studies show that well-being increases with age, with older adults experiencing more positive and fewer negative emotions. This is believed to be explained by better emotion regulation strategies in older adults In daily life, these strategies could be reflected by more favorable emotion fluctuations (emotion dynamics). This study therefore examines whether well-being differs significantly between age groups and hypothesizes that older adults experience more positive and fewer negative emotions than younger age groups, with less affect variability and instability in older adulthood. Lastly, this study analyzes whether age differences in well-being are explained by emotion dynamics through mediation analysis. Participants (n = 541) were divided into three age groups: younger adults (n = 155), middle-aged adults (n = 364) and older adults (n = 22). The data was from the HoeGekisNL study, using a cross-sectional design and a diary study. The Ryff scale of psychological well-being was used to assess well-being. Results indicate that not every aspect of well-being grows with age, but autonomy and environmental mastery do. All emotion dynamics varied significantly across age groups, confirming that older aged adults experience more positive and less negative emotions and affect variability and instability decreases across adulthood. Additionally, PA intensity and NA instability partially mediate the relationship between age and autonomy. Affect intensity fully mediates the correlation between age and environmental mastery. This study aids in understanding the development of emotion dynamics and well-being in adulthood.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Jonge, P. de
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Ontwikkelingspsychologie (O) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	20 May 2026 06:32
Last Modified:	20 May 2026 06:32
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6411

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