Are Health and Negative Affect Decoupled in Late Adulthood? The Moderating Role of Self-Perceptions of Aging

Han-Yun Tseng, Stephen Aichele, Oliver Schilling, Hans-Werner Wahl, Manfred Diehl, Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Faculty of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, Institute of Psychology, Heidelberg University, Network Aging Research, Heidelberg University

Journal of Aging and Health

Published online on February 14, 2026

Abstract

Journal of Aging and Health, Ahead of Print.
ObjectivesPhysical health often declines with age, yet subjective well-being (SWB) tends to remain stable. Stereotype Embodiment Theory proposes that internalized self-perceptions of aging (SPAs) shape how physical changes are interpreted. This study ...