Continuity and Change in Values in Midlife: Testing the Age Stability Hypothesis
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Date
2014-03-13
Authors
Stockard, Jean
Carpenter, Gaylene
Kahle, Lynn R.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
Background/Study Context: The “age stability” hypothesis suggests that
adults have significant continuities in values over time, whereas the “situational
influence” hypothesis suggests that change continues, especially in
response to new events and experiences. Deeply ingrained, terminal values
may be more stable than other, more instrumental, values. Less research
examines changing values than examines changing personality traits and
attitudes. Methods: Hypotheses were tested with data from A Study of Leisure
During Adulthood (ASOLDA), a 9-year panel study of middle-aged adults
(average age of 45 at the beginning of data collection). Mixed-model
regressions and descriptive statistics were used to examine changes and
stability over time in global values, measured by the List of Values (LOV),
and instrumental values related to leisure. Results: Significant correlations were found in both terminal and
instrumental values over time (autocorrelations ranging from .13 to
.23). There was no linear or curvilinear pattern of change over time.
Respondents reported a wide range of positive and negative life events
and variations over time in reflections on their life structure, but these
variations were unrelated to changes in values. Conclusion: Results support the age stability hypothesis, rather than
the situational influence hypothesis, with similar results for both terminal
and instrumental values. It is suggested that the consistent values
of respondents may have helped them weather the wide range of
often-difficult circumstances many reported experiencing. Future research
should examine this hypothesis.
Description
21 pages
Keywords
A Study of Leisure During Adulthood, List of Values, Correlational Research
Citation
Stockard, J., Carpenter, G., & Kahle, L. R. (2014). Continuity and Change in Values in Midlife: Testing the Age Stability Hypothesis. Experimental Aging Research, 40, 224-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/0361073X.2014.882215