IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: NEGATIVE AFFECT VALUATION IN LATER ADULTHOOD

Affective values may shape how affect is linked to health and well-being. Much of the work to date, however, has focused mostly on younger, European American adult samples. Yet, emotional experiences are known to take on greater importance in later life. In the current study, 313 participants (65+ years old) from the Daily Experiences and Well-Being Study (DEWS) completed baseline interviews, questionnaires, and 4–5 days of ecological momentary assessments (EMA). The baseline EMA surveys assessed momentary affect whereas the questionnaires assessed negative affect valuation (NAV): the extent to which people recognize value in negative emotional experiences in terms of their pleasantness, appropriateness, meaningfulness, and helpfulness. Relatively older adults reported more NAV pleasantness. Moreover, for White older adults, greater NAV buffered the effects of NA on depressive symptoms. In contrast, for non-White older adults, greater NAV was a risk factor. The adaptiveness of NAV may depend on developmental and cultural contexts.