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Aging with Purpose: Developmental Changes and Benefits of Purpose in Life Throughout the Lifespan

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Personality and Healthy Aging in Adulthood

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 26))

Abstract

In this chapter, we review the change trajectories and benefits of purpose throughout the lifespan. We begin by defining two aspects of purpose: (1) sense of purpose, or the extent to which one perceives their life to have goals and directions, and (2) purpose in life, or the specific goals one articulates. Next, we discuss the purpose development process through which one traverses in adolescence and emerging adulthood, and the benefits those with a purpose experience in the context of identity development and well-being. From there, we outline the developmental trajectories of purpose in middle and older adulthood, before narrowing in on the physical and cognitive health benefits associated with a higher sense of purpose. We conclude by discussing future directions to further understand the mechanisms through which purpose promotes healthy development across the lifespan, as well as the current gaps in the purpose and aging literature.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Gabrielle N. Pfund

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Nathan A. Lewis

  3. Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada

    Nathan A. Lewis

Authors
  1. Gabrielle N. Pfund
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  2. Nathan A. Lewis
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Correspondence to Gabrielle N. Pfund .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis, MO, USA

    Patrick L. Hill

  2. Department of Psychology and University Research Priority Program Dynamics of Healthy Aging, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland

    Mathias Allemand

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Pfund, G.N., Lewis, N.A. (2020). Aging with Purpose: Developmental Changes and Benefits of Purpose in Life Throughout the Lifespan. In: Hill, P.L., Allemand, M. (eds) Personality and Healthy Aging in Adulthood. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 26. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32053-9_3

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