Just a Mirage: On the Incremental Predictive Validity of Subjective Age

an article by Hannes Zacher (Leipzig University, Germany) and Cort W Rudolph (Saint Louis University) published in Work, Aging and Retirement Volume 5 Issue 2 (April 2019)

Abstract

Researchers have suggested that subjective age, most frequently conceptualized and measured as how old someone feels, may predict important work and life outcomes.

In this article, we challenge this assumption by examining the incremental predictive validity of subjective age.

Specifically, we propose that subjective age is related to important work and life outcomes (i.e., self-rated task performance, job engagement, emotional exhaustion, career satisfaction, and life satisfaction) when controlling for chronological age. However, based on core self-evaluations theory and the lifespan theory of control, we argue that these relationships are confounded by core self-evaluations (i.e., people’s fundamental evaluations of themselves) and, thus, become weak and nonsignificant when controlling for core self-evaluations.

We tested our hypotheses using employee data from a cross-sectional study (N = 295), a 2-wave study across 6 months (N = 659), and another cross-sectional study (N = 316). Across studies, and consistent with expectations, chronological age was positively related to subjective age, whereas core self-evaluations were negatively related to subjective age when controlling for chronological age.

In addition, most relationships of subjective age with work and life outcomes became weaker and nonsignificant when core self-evaluations (as well as physical health and perceived work ability as further potential confounding variables included in Studies 2 and 3) were controlled for.

By and large, our findings suggest that subjective age does not predict important work and life outcomes above and beyond chronological age, core self-evaluations, and perceived work ability.

Hazel’s comment:
Without having read the full article it seems to me that what the authors are saying is that you are as old as you feel, or maybe as old as other people think you should feel.

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The role of personality traits, core self-evaluation, and emotional intelligence in career decision-making difficulties

an article by Annamaria Di Fabio and Letizia Palazzeschi (Department of Psychology, University of Florence, Italy) and Reuven Bar-On (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch) published in Journal of Employment Counseling Volume 49 Issue 3 (September 2012)

Abstract

This study examines the role of personality traits, core self-evaluation, and emotional intelligence (EI) in career decision-making difficulties.

Italian university students (N= 232) responded to questions on the Big Five Questionnaire, Core Self-Evaluation Scale, Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory, and Career Decision-Making Difficulties Questionnaire.

It was found that EI adds significant incremental variance compared with personality traits and core self-evaluation in predicting career decision-making difficulties. The results draw attention to the unique role of EI in career decision-making difficulties, offering new research opportunities and intervention possibilities.

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