Tekijät

• Kokko, Katja (University of Jyväskylä. Gerontology Research Centre and Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences)

Asiasanat

ageing, aggressiveness, career, depression, emotional states, evaluation, expectation, families, interpersonal relations, personal identity, satisfaction, well-being (health)

Sisällön kuvaus

This dataset is part of the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (JYLS), which has followed the same individuals since 1968. This Developmental Psychological Perspectives on Transitions at Age 60: Individuals Navigating Across the Lifespan (TRAILS) research wave explores the lives of participants, now around 61 years old, across key areas such as family, work, housing, health and leisure. Data collection for this phase included a life situation questionnaire, a psychological interview, self-assessment forms, a health examination and monitoring of physical activity. At the beginning of the psychological interview (FSD4025), a life history calendar (FSD4023) was completed. This dataset contains the responses to self-rating questionnaires completed during the interviews. Themes included mental well-being, mood, life satisfaction, social relationships, work, future expectations and preparations for old age.The questionnaires were either original or modified versions of specific tests and measurements, translated into Finnish.

Three questionnaires studied emotions in terms of accepting, recognising and controlling them. The first one investigated how the respondent was feeling at the moment of answering (e.g. disappointed, happy) and the second how the respondent felt in general (e.g. active, nervous). The next questionnaire covered aggression and the ways of controlling and showing it. Depressive symptoms were also assessed with several statements.

The respondents' feelings of self-worth and self-appreciation were studied using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Psychological well-being was examined with 18 statements focusing on autonomy, personal growth, relations with others, purpose in life and self-acceptance. Social well-being was studied with 15 statements. These included, for instance, the respondent's view on how kind people are, whether society has stopped developing and whether they felt that they belonged to a community.

The respondents were also asked about their life satisfaction, perceptions of their community, society, and their own contribution to their community. Social support was explored from the perspectives of both support given and support received, including descriptions of close relationships and opportunities to receive help in different situations.

Working life was explored through questions on career success, the quality and meaningfulness of work, work-family interaction, and emotional responses to work, such as feelings of hurry, enthusiasm, and exhaustion. Future prospects and ageing were studied by asking the respondents to evaluate their expectations and preparations for later life in terms of finances, health, relationships, housing, and leisure.