Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Self-Regulation, Marital Climate, and Emotional Well-Being among Japanese Older Couples

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

A Correction to this article was published on 18 September 2020

This article has been updated

Abstract

Although the association of self-regulation and well-being are well researched, few studies have addressed the dynamic mechanism of this relationship within married couples. This study examined the relationships of self-regulation and marital climate with the emotional well-being of both actors and partners among older Japanese couples. Through a mail survey, 498 older couples with husbands (aged in their 70s) and their wives (aged 60 or over) responded to a questionnaire comprising measures of selective optimization with compensation (SOC), tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment, marital climate, and emotional well-being. The results of hierarchical linear modeling showed that positive interpretation was associated with not only their own lower depressive symptomatology and higher life satisfaction but also those of their partners. Furthermore, tenacious goal pursuit was beneficially associated with older adults’ life satisfaction. Marital climate was positively related to emotional well-being and the association was larger among wives than among husbands. However, contrary to expectations, use of an optimization strategy was negatively linked to partners’ life satisfaction, but not actors’. Besides confirming the apparent benefits of self-regulation for actors’ well-being, self-regulation could be beneficially or detrimentally related to partners’ well-being. To be happy in old age, it seems more important for individuals to care for their spouses and create a favorable marital climate than to pursue their own goals exclusively. There remains, however, a need to simultaneously examine the associations of both intrapersonal (self) and interpersonal (collective) regulatory processes with well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Change history

  • 18 September 2020

    Corrections are needed to the published version of this article.

References

  • Allen, K. R., & Walker, A. J. (2000). Constructing gender in families. In R. M. Milardo & S. Duck (Eds.), Families as relationships (pp. 1–17). Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ambrosi-Randić, N., & Plavšić, M. (2011). Strategies for goal-achievement in older people with different levels of well-being. Studia Psychologica, 53, 97–106. https://doi.org/10.1037/t04704-000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B. (1997). On the incomplete architecture of human ontogeny: Selection, optimization, and compensation as foundation of developmental theory. American Psychologist, 52, 366–380. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.52.4.366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, M. M., & Carstensen, L. L. (1999). Social-psychological theories and their applications to aging: From individual to collective. In V. L. Bengtson & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of theories of aging (pp. 209–226). New York, NY: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B., Baltes, M. M., Freund, A. M., & Lang, F. (1999). The measurement of selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) by self-report: Technical report 1999. Berlin: Max-Planck Institute for Human Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boener, K., & Jopp, D. (2007). Improvement/maintenance and reorientation as central features of coping with major life change and loss: Contributions of three life-span theories. Human Development, 50, 171–195. https://doi.org/10.1159/0001103358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bookwala, J., & Franks, M. M. (2005). Moderating role of marital quality in older adults' depressed affect: Beyond the main-effects model. Journals of Gerontology: Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 60B, P338–P341. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/60.6.P338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandtstädter, J., & Renner, G. (1990). Tenacious goal pursuit and flexible goal adjustment: Explication and age-related analysis of assimilative and accommodative strategies of coping. Psychology and Aging, 5, 58–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.5.1.58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L, L. (1993). Motivation for social contact across the life span: A theory of socioemotional selectivity. In J. E. Jacobs (Ed.), Nebraska symposium on motivation, 1992: Developmental perspectives on motivation (pp. 209–254). Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press

  • Chipperfield, J. G., & Perry, R. P. (2006). Primary- and secondary-control strategies in later life: Predicting hospital outcomes in men and women. Health Psychology, 25, 226–236. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.25.2.226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou, K.-L., & Chi, I. (2001). Selection, optimization, and compensation questionnaire: A validation study with Chinese older adults. Clinical Gerontologist, 24, 141–151. https://doi.org/10.1300/J018v24n01_10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, O., Geron, Y., & Farchi, A. (2009). Marital quality and global well-being among older adult Israeli couples in enduring marriages. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 37, 299–317. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926180802405968.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook, W. L., & Kenny, D. A. (2005). The actor–partner interdependence model: A model of bidirectional effects in developmental studies. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 29, 101–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/01650250444000405.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (1998). Selection, optimization, and compensation as strategies of life management: Correlations with subjective indicators of successful aging. Psychology and Aging, 13, 531–543. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.13.4.531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freund, A. M., & Baltes, P. B. (2002). Life-management strategies of selection, optimization, and compensation: Measurement by self-report and construct validity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82, 642–662. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.4.642.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gestsdottir, S., Bowers, E., von Eye, A., Napolitano, C. M., & Lerner, R. M. (2010). Intentional self-regulation in middle adolescence: The emerging role of loss-based selection in positive youth development. Journal of Youth Adolescence, 39, 764–782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-010-9537-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greve, W., & Wentura, D. (2007). Personal and subpersonal regulation of human development: Beyond complementary categories. Human Development, 50, 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1159/0001103360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hasse, C. M., Heckhausen, J., & Wrosch, C. (2013). Developmental regulation across the life span: Toward a new synthesis. Developmental Psychology, 49, 964–972. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haverstock, N. B., Ruthig, J. D., & Chipperfield, J. G. (2020). Primary and secondary control strategies and psychological well-being among familial caregivers of older adults with dementia. Journal of Social Psychology, 160, 61–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2019.1592095.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heckhausen, J. (1997). Developmental regulation in adulthood: Primary and secondary control of age-related challenges. Developmental Psychology, 33, 176–187. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.33.1.176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heckhausen, J., Wrosch, C., & Schulz, R. (2010). A motivational theory of life-span development. Psychological Review, 117, 32–60. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoppmann, C. A., & Gerstorf, D. (2016). Social interrelations in aging: The sample case of married couples. In K. W. Schaie & S. L. Willis (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (8th ed., pp. 263–277). New York, NY: Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-411469-2.00014-5.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ito, Y., Sagara, J., & Ikeda, M. (2006). Shokugyouseikatu ga chunenkihuhu no kankeimanzoudo to syukantekikofukukan ni oyobosu eikyo: Tsuma no syuugyoukeitaibetsu ni mita crossover no kentou [the influence of occupational life on the marital satisfaction and psychological well-being of middle-aged couples: Crossover effects and career types]. Japanese Journal of Developmental Psychology, 17(1), 62–72 Retrieved from http://ci.nii.ac.jp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iwao, S. (2008). Gendered age. In F. Coulmas, H. Conrad, A. Schad-Seifert, & G. Vogt (Eds.), The demographic challenge: A handbook about Japan (pp. 531–545). Leiden: Brill.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2020, August 17). Gender differences of caregivers for impaired older adults. Retrieved from http://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/youran/indexyk_4_1.html.

  • Kelly, R. E., Wood, A. M., & Mansell, W. (2013). Flexible and tenacious goal pursuit lead to improving well-being in an aging population: a ten-year cohort study. International Psychogeriatrics, 25, 16-24. https://doi.org/10.1017/S10411610212001391.

  • Kitayama, S., Markus, H. R., & Kurosawa, M. (2000). Culture, emotion, and well-being: Good feelings in Japan and the United States. Cognition and Emotion, 14, 93–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/026999300379003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang, J. (1984). Dimensions of the life satisfaction index a: A structural formulation. Journal of Gerontology, 39, 613–622. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/39.5.613.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuoka, M. (2006). Risojiko no shougai hattatsu: Henka no Imi to chousetsukatei wo toraeru [ideal self across the life span: Roles and regulation process]. Japanese Journal of Educational Psychology, 54, 45–54. https://doi.org/10.5926/jjep1953.54.1_45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, S. E., & Coke, D. A. (2007). Bias in cross-sectional analyses of longitudinal mediation. Psychological Methods, 12, 24–44. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.12.1.23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moroi, K. (1996). Kateinairodo no buntan niokeru kouheisei no chikaku. [perceptions on equitability about domestic division of labor]. Japanese Journal of Family Psychology, 10, 15–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neugarten, B., Havighurst, R., & Tobin, S. (1961). The measurement of satisfaction. Journal of Gerontology, 16, 134–143. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/16.2.134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norton, R. (1983). Measuring marital quality: A critical look at the dependent variable. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 45, 141–151. https://doi.org/10.2307/351302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Hara, M. W., Kohout, F. J., & Wallace, R. B. (1985). Depression among the rural elderly: A study of prevalence and correlates. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 173, 582–589. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-198510000-00002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okabayashi, H. (2014). Development of a Japanese version of the selection, optimization, and compensation questionnaire. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 29, 447–465. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-014-9242-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okabayashi, H. (2016). Getting older, getting happier? Self-regulation and age trends in well-being in Japan. In S. Iwatate, M. Koyasu, & K. Negayama (Eds.), Frontiers in developmental psychology research: Japanese perspectives (pp. 165–188). Tokyo: Hitsuzi Syobo Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Okabayashi, H., & Hougham, G. W. (2013). Gender differences in social interactions and their effects on subjective well-being among Japanese elders. Aging & Mental Health, 18, 59–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2013.788997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okabayashi, H., Liang, J., Krause, N., Akiyama, H., & Sugisawa, H. (2004). Mental health among older adults in Japan: Do sources of social support and negative interaction make a difference? Social Science & Medicine, 59, 2259–2270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.02.024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD). (2020, August 17). Gender wage gap. Retrieved from https://data.oecd.org/earnwage/gender-wage-gap.htm#indicator-chart age-gap.htm.

  • Proulx, C. M. H., & Buehler, C. (2007). Marital quality and personal well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marriage and Family, 69, 576–593. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2007.00393.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1, 381–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/014662167700100306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raudenbush, S. W., Brennan, R. T., & Barnett, R. C. (1995). A multivariate hierarchical model for studying psychological change in married couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 9, 161–174. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.9.2.161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rothbaum, F., Weisz, J. R., & Snyder, S. S. (1982). Changing the world and changing the self: A two-process model of perceived control. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 42, 5–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.42.1.5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruthig, J. C., Trisko, J., & Stewart, T. (2012). The impact of spouse's health and well-being on own well-being: A dyadic study of older married couples. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 31, 508–529. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2012.31.5.508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C., Boylan, M., Coe, C. L., Karasawa, M., Kawakami, N., Kitayama, S., Kan, C., et al. (2015). Adult development in Japan and the United States: Comparing theories and findings about growth, maturity, and well-being. In J. L. Arnett (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of human development and culture: An interdisciplinary perspective (pp. 666–679). New York, NY: Oxford University press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199948550.013.41.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sayer, A. G., & Klute, M. M. (2005). Analyzing couples and families: Multilevel methods. In V. L. Bengston, A. C. Acock, K. R. Allen, P. Dilworth-Anderson, & D. M. Klein (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theory and research (pp. 289–313). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412990172.d63.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Takemura, K., & Maehara, T. (2008). Syakaitekiseiyaku ni yoru taisyohouryaku no chigai: Gaitekini setteisareta kijunnmokuhyou wo mezasu tajuuyakuwarigakusei to tannitsuyakuwarigakusei no hikaku [social constraints and coping styles of multiple- vs. single-role nursing students]. Japanese Journal of Developmental Psychology, 19(3), 264–274 Retrieved from http://ci.nii.ac.jp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology & Institute of Gerontology of the University of Michigan (1987). Zenkoku Koureisha Chousa Chousahyo [Questionnaire for a nationally representative sample of Japanese older adults.]. Unpublished manuscript, Central Research Service.

  • United Nations Development Programme (2020, August 17). Gender inequality index. Retrieved from http://hdr.undp.org/en/data.

  • Viglund, K., Aléx, L., Jonsén, E., Lundman, B., Norberg, A., Fischer, R. S., Strandberg, G., & Nygren, B. (2012). Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the selection, optimization, compensation questionnaire. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Science, 27, 460–467. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6712.2012.01027.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, R., Luszcz, M., Gerstorf, D., & Hoppmann, C. (2011). Subjective well-being dynamics in couples from the Australian longitudinal study of aging. Gerontology, 57, 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1159/000318633.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, R., Isherwood, L., Burton, C., Kitwe-magambo, K., & Luszcz, M. (2013). Marital satisfaction among older couples: The role of satisfaction with social networks and psychological well-being. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 76, 123–139. https://doi.org/10.2190/AG.76.2.b.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whisman, M. A., Uebelacker, L. A., Tolejko, N., Chatav, Y., & McKelvie, M. (2006). Marital discord and well-being in older adults: Is the association confounded by personality? Psychology and Aging, 21, 626–631. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.3.626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yatomi, N., Liang, J., Krause, N., & Akiyama, H. (1993). CES-D niyoru nihon roujin no utsu shoujou no sokutei: Sono inshi kouzou niokeru bunkasa no kentou [cross-cultural differences in depressive symptoms among the aged: Comparisons of the factor structure of CES-D]. Social Gerontology, 37, 37–47.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The author appreciates Dr. Aline Sayer, who was a faculty of the University of  Massachusetts Amherst, for her helpful comments on hierarchical linear modeling and all the participants for their cooperation. Portions of these data were presented at the 66th annual scientific meeting of the Gerontologicl Society of America, New Orleans, LA, in 2013 and at the 23rd congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, Nagoya, Japan in 2016.

Funding

This study was funded by Grant-in-Aid for Science Research from Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (C21530700) and Meisei University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Meisei University, 2-1-1 Hodokubo, Hino-City, Tokyo, 191-8506, Japan

    Hideki Okabayashi

Authors
  1. Hideki Okabayashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hideki Okabayashi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

The original version of this article was revised: (1). Immediately before Equation 4, there should be one phrase, “The full equation is as follows: ”. This phrase was mistakenly dropped in the last correction process. (2). Corrections are needed to the formatting of Tables 1, 2 and 3. (3). In the reference, the order of updated article is wrong. According to alphabetical order, “Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (2020)” should be placed between “Iwao, S. (2008)” and “Kelly, R.E. et al. (2013)”.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Okabayashi, H. Self-Regulation, Marital Climate, and Emotional Well-Being among Japanese Older Couples. J Cross Cult Gerontol 35, 433–452 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-020-09409-5

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-020-09409-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation