Health-related expectations regarding aging among middle-aged and older Japanese across the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Health-related expectations regarding aging are predictive of health behaviors and outcomes in later life, yet limited research has been undertaken in Japan to determine how adults perceive their future physical, mental, and cognitive health. The present research aimed to elucidate health-related expectations regarding aging among representative populations of middle-aged and older Tokyo residents using the first Japanese translation of the Expectations Regarding Aging Scale (ERA-12-J). Survey data were collected using repeated quota samples of adults aged 45 years and older in 2021 (N = 1600). Results showed prevailing negative perceptions concerning future health, with higher sentiment regarding mental health when compared to physical or cognitive health. Significant differences were observed between middle-aged and older adults, with those aged 45-64 holding more negative perceptions about their future health relative to respondents aged 65 and older, F(1, 1596) = 11.61, p < .001. Female respondents also held more negative perceptions about their future health compared to males in each age cohort, F(1, 1596) = 14.54, p < .001. Higher ERA-12-J scores were significantly correlated with better self-reported health (r = .30, p <.001), lower health-related impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (r = -.16, p <.001), and lower levels of sedentary behavior (r = -.10, p <.001). Results suggest that middle-age may be a problematic time for perceptions of future health, particularly for females, with consequences for healthy transitions to retirement or the attainment of a positive work-life balance. Implications for health education and post-COVID public health interventions will be discussed.