丁香园AV

Dr. Theresa Pauly, Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair at 丁香园AV, attended the 53rd Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG), held from October 24 to 26, 2024, in Edmonton. The conference brought together researchers, healthcare professionals, and academics to discuss pressing issues in aging and gerontological science. 

Dr. Pauly's presentation explored the intersection of aging, social interaction, and well-being. Her talk, titled "The Interplay of Social Interaction, Positive Affect, and Subjective Age in Older Adults," focused on the concept of subjective age鈥攖he way older adults perceive their age relative to their actual years鈥攁nd the role that social engagement plays in shaping this perception.

Drawing on a daily diary study involving 108 participants aged 65 to 92, Dr. Pauly examined the reciprocal relationships between daily social interaction and subjective age. The results revealed that time spent in social interaction was associated with feeling younger the next day, but interestingly, subjective age did not significantly affect future social interaction. Notably, the link between social interaction and subjective age was fully mediated by positive emotions, underscoring the emotional benefits of socializing as a key factor in how older adults perceive their age.

Dr. Pauly's findings highlight the critical role of social connections in enhancing well-being and promoting a sense of youthfulness in older adults. Her research underscores the potential for interventions that encourage social engagement and emotional well-being as strategies to improve the overall quality of life for older adults. 

By sharing her insights at the CAG 2024 conference, Dr. Pauly contributed to important conversations on aging, mental health, and community-based interventions. Her work is a valuable step toward understanding how we can support older adults in feeling not only younger but more connected and fulfilled in their later years.