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Erschienen in: Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie 6/2014

01.08.2014 | Originalien

Playfulness over the lifespan and its relation to happiness

Results from an online survey

verfasst von: Dr. R.T. Proyer

Erschienen in: Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie | Ausgabe 6/2014

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Abstract

Background

Playfulness is an understudied topic in adults and particularly among the elderly. There is no large study to date on age-related changes in playfulness across the lifespan, nor have relations with different indicators of well-being been investigated in much detail as yet.

Participants and methods

In total, 4100 adults completed online self-ratings on their playfulness, happiness and Seligman’s three orientations to happiness (a pleasurable, engaged and meaningfully fulfilled life).

Results

In a cross-sectional design, playfulness was stable across the lifespan; variations in the mean scores were relatively small (half a standard deviation). Yet participants < 40 years yielded the comparatively lowest scores. There were no gender differences. Playfulness was best predicted by the scale assessing a pleasurable life and was positively related to happiness.

Conclusion

Playfulness seems to be of relevance in all age groups and displays robust relations with different indicators of well-being.
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Metadaten
Titel
Playfulness over the lifespan and its relation to happiness
Results from an online survey
verfasst von
Dr. R.T. Proyer
Publikationsdatum
01.08.2014
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie / Ausgabe 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0948-6704
Elektronische ISSN: 1435-1269
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-013-0539-z

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