Linking Mastery Across the Life Course to Mobility Device Use in Later Life

Abstract

Objectives Mastery in older ages is shaped by earlier-life experiences. Prior research has demonstrated that mastery is associated with health-promoting behaviors; however, little research has examined whether mastery histories influence health behaviors such as mobility device use in later life.

Method Using 25 years of data from the Americans’ Changing Lives Survey (N = 1,427), this research explores whether different trajectories of life course mastery influence the odds that an older adult will use a mobility device when experiencing functional impairment. We used growth mixture models with a distal outcome and examined the relationship between functional limitations and mobility device use as it varies across latent classes of life course mastery, controlling for social and health factors.

Results The odds of device use in the face of functional limitations were significantly higher among those with a history of high life course mastery, relative to those with low life course mastery, all things being equal.

Discussion Our findings suggest that mastery over the life course is a source of psychological human capital that is associated with health-promoting behaviors in later life among those with functional limitations.