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Older Adults’ Online Dating Profiles and Successful Aging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2016

Mineko Wada ,
William Bennett Mortenson  and
Laura Hurd Clarke
Mineko Wada*
Affiliation:
Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University
William Bennett Mortenson
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, The University of British Columbia International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver (VCHRI) Rehabilitation Research Program, VCHRI
Laura Hurd Clarke
Affiliation:
School of Kinesiology, The University of British Columbia
*
†La correspondance et les demandes de tire-à-part doivent être adressées à : / Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to: Mineko Wada, Ph.D. Gerontology Research Centre Simon Fraser University #2800-515 West Hastings St. Vancouver, BC, V6B 5K3 (mineko_wada@sfu.ca)
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Abstract

This study examined how relevant Rowe and Kahn’s three criteria of successful aging were to older adults’ self-portrayals in online dating profiles: low probability of disease and disability, high functioning, and active life engagement. In this cross-sectional study, 320 online dating profiles of older adults were randomly selected and coded based on the criteria. Logistic regression analyses determined whether age, gender, and race/ethnicity predicted self-presentation. Few profiles were indicative of successful aging due to the low prevalence of the first two criteria; the third criterion, however, was identified in many profiles. Native Americans were significantly less likely than other ethnic groups to highlight the first two criteria. Younger age predicted presenting the first criterion. Women’s presentation of the third criterion remained significantly high with age. The findings suggest that the criteria may be unimportant to older adults when seeking partners, or they may reflect the exclusivity of this construct.

Résumé

Cette étude a examiné la pertinence des trois critères de Rowe et Kahn pour le vieillissement réussi à des représentations de soi dans profils de recontre en ligne des aînés: faible probabilité de maladie ou d’invalidité; fonctionnement élevé et l’engagement de la vie active. Dans cette étude transversale, 320 profils de rencontre en ligne des personnes âgées ont été choisis aléatoirement et codés selon ces critères. Les analyses de régression logistique ont déterminé si l’âge, le sexe et la race / ethnicité prédit l’auto-présentation. Peu de profils étaient révélateurs du vieillissement réussi en raison de la faible prévalence des deux premiers critères. Cependant, le troisième critère a été identifié dans de nombreux profils. Les Amérindiens étaient beaucoup moins susceptibles que les autres groupes ethniques pour mettre en évidence les premier et deuxième critères. Présentant le premier critère prédit le jeune âge. Profils de présentations des femmes du troisième critère sont restés très élevés avec l’âge. Les résultats suggèrent que les critères peuvent être sans importance pour les personnes âgées qui cherchent des partenaires, ou peuvent refléter l’exclusivité de cette idée.

Keywords

agingrace/ethnicitygenderdatingregression modelsattitudes and perceptionsvieillissementrace / ethnicitégenre (sexe)modèle de régressioncomportements et perceptions
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 35 , Issue 4 , December 2016 , pp. 479 - 490
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Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2016 

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