Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
acceptedVersion
Publication Date
8-2025
Abstract
Existing research has examined how static or average levels of positive affect (PA) influence purpose in life (PIL), but theoretical work suggests PA fluctuations may also play a role, potentially undermining PIL, especially in older adulthood. To this end, the present study examined the longitudinal association of PA fluctuations on PIL and the moderating role of age among 1,294 midlife and older adults in the United States, over a 9-year period (between 2004 and 2014). Results revealed a conditional effect of PA fluctuations on PIL – particularly among older individuals, and greater PA fluctuations were associated with a poorer sense of purpose over time. This effect persisted even after accounting for individual differences in affective disposition. Findings from the current study deepen our understanding of the intricate relationship between PA fluctuations and PIL across the lifespan, with particular emphasis on the vulnerabilities that emerge in older adulthood.
Keywords
positive emotion stability, purpose in life, longitudinal study, relative variability index
Discipline
Applied Behavior Analysis | Social Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Areas of Excellence
Sustainability
Publication
Journal of Positive Psychology
First Page
1
Last Page
12
ISSN
1743-9760
Identifier
10.1080/17439760.2025.2542234
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Citation
CHIA, Jonathan L., LUA, Verity Y. Q., & HARTANTO, Andree.(2025). A lifespan perspective on positive affect fluctuations on purpose in life: Findings from a 9-year longitudinal study. Journal of Positive Psychology, , 1-12.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/4224
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2025.2542234