Psychopolitical and Psychosocial Predictors of Self-Perceptions of Aging Among Young-Old and Old-Old Adults

Introduction The current study examines the relationship between SPA and their psychopolitical and psychosocial predictors among older people. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time psychopolitical variables have been investigated in the context of SPA. We examine four potential predictors of SPA, which are personal characteristics associated with (a) perception of own political participation (i.e., political subjectivity and political agency), (b) perception of being autonomous and having a sense of control over one’s own life (i.e., autonomy in old age), and (c) perception of being loved and supported by others (i.e., social support). Method of data collection and analysis Four hundred and fifty-five participants aged 65 to 95 (M = 72.8, SD = 6.43), 284 women (62.4%) and 171 men (37.6%) took part in the study. Eleven per cent of the participants (n = 52) had completed primary education, 23% (n = 103) had vocational training, 36% (n = 165) had secondary education, and 30% (n = 135) had higher education. A minority of the participants (13.8%, n = 63) were employed at the time of the study, 60% (n = 268) were married, and 40% (n = 187) were single (among them 7.7% divorced and 29.7% widowed). A minority of the participants (29.2%, n = 133) lived in a one-person household, 50.5% (n = 230) lived with their spouse or family member, and 20.3% (n = 92) lived with more than one family member. Two separate subgroups of respondents were identified following an age criterion: Y-O (age <75; n = 148) and O-O (age 75+; n = 307) (see Neugarten, 1974). The research was conducted between 15 November and 30 December 2022 using the CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) method. The sample was random, taking into account the territorial division of Poland (16 provinces). A Poland-wide sample of people aged 65 and over (N = 2,082) was drawn from the PESEL register (PESEL is the national identification number used in Poland). Three attempts were made to contact each of the individuals drawn and to obtain their consent to an interview (between 18 September and 14 October 2022). Ultimately, the full survey was conducted on 455 people, which corresponds to a response rate of 21.85%. The recorded refusals show that the main reasons included poor health, a socially passive attitude (lack of interest in social issues, focusing only on family, personal matters), and lack of trust. The research was conducted by a team of trained interviewers. They were selected in a Poland-wide competition among junior research workers at universities and PhD candidates from doctoral schools working in the field of social sciences. For each province of Poland, two to three interviewers were selected. They received training to maximize the reliability of the survey results, as well as the psychological comfort of the respondents. During a series of training sessions, the interviewers practised the exact interview scenario under the guidance of experts, as well as gained an understanding of potential psychological difficulties when dealing with older people. The data obtained during the interview was collected directly in the STATSO software, which could only be accessed by the project manager. At the start of the survey, the respondents were assured of the confidentiality of their responses, as well as of the protection of their data. After obtaining all the information, they gave written consent to participate in the study in the presence of the interviewer (signing the declaration of consent form).