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Decision Strategies in Health Care Choices for Self and Others: Older but not Younger Adults Make Adjustments for the Age of the Decision Target

Department of Psychology, Stanford University, California.

Address correspondence to Corinna E. Löckenhoff, Biomedical Research Center, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 100 Room 4B323, Baltimore, MD 21224. E-mail: LoeckenhoffC{at}grc.nia.nih.gov

Participants (N = 142 younger and older adults) made health care choices for themselves, a social partner of similar age, or a social partner substantially younger or older than themselves. Using computer-based decision scenarios, participants reviewed positive, negative, or neutral choice criteria before choosing. Older adults who chose for themselves reviewed a greater proportion of positive choice criteria, recalled their choices more positively, and showed more positive emotional responses than did younger adults. Comparable results were found when participants chose for another person of similar age. Older adults who were asked to choose for a young person, however, showed a reduced focus on positive information; in addition, their emotional experience during the review process was less positive. Younger adults' performance was not influenced by the decision target.

Key Words: Age differences • Health care choices • Socioemotional selectivity theory