Perceived Life Expectancy Predicts Time Investment in Productive Aging Activities: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

Objectives: Despite known benefits of productive aging, it is unclear what explains time allocation in productive activities. We investigated whether productive engagement in older people can be explained by their age, health, socioeconomic status, and perceived life expectancy in Hong Kong. Methods: We interviewed 390 community-dwelling older persons for their health and perceived life expectancy, followed by a 7-day ecological momentary assessment to record their activities. Results: A total of 366 participants who completed the study (age 75 ± 8.3 years; 79% women) reported an average perceived life expectancy of nearly 10 years. The majority (59%) engaged in productive activities. Estimates of the structural equation model (RMSEA = 0.046) showed that age and health were associated with productive engagement, mediated by perceived life expectancy. Discussion and Implications: Future efforts in promoting productive aging and related research should include interventions addressing perceived life expectancy, a potentially modifiable factor.