Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are important predictors of various outcomes in later life, with positive SPA related to better mental and physical health outcomes and negative SPA related to worse health, cognition, and mortality. In this study we examined factors that could be contributing to SPA: 1) Optimism, a general orientation to life linked to many outcomes, and 2) self-efficacy of achieving or preventing specific identity-related images of selves in the future, or “possible selves.” We predicted that possible selves’ self-efficacy would be related to SPA over and above general optimism and demographic covariates. We analyzed baseline data from 103 participants (age = 53–88 years) from the Personal Understanding of Life and Social Experiences project, a web-based, 100-day microlongitudinal study. At baseline, participants completed a survey that included demographics, a SPA measure, an optimism scale (LOT), and Likert scale ratings of how capable (self-efficacy) they felt they were at achieving a hoped-for self and preventing a feared self. Hierarchical regressions showed that significant associations with SPA included optimism and self-efficacy towards a hoped-for self, but not of a feared self. The model explained 25% of the variance in SPA. Future research should explore how self-efficacy associated with possible selves could be targeted as an avenue for shaping SPA. Differences between hoped-for and feared selves may have implications for health behavior interventions, particularly those involving goals and motivation. It is possible that efforts to increase SPA should focus on enhancing self-efficacy towards achieving hoped-for selves, rather than of preventing feared selves.
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