Ideal self across the life span: Roles and regulation process

Abstract

The present study investigated the concept of ideal self from a life-span perspective in terms of its roles and the regulation process of age-related change. Participants (N=865) 15-86 years old took part in the survey. The most important findings were as follows: (1) An age-linked reduction in the discrepancy between actual and ideal self was accompanied by an increment in (or maintenance of) self-esteem. (2) The possibility of actualizing the ideal self declined around 45-54 years of age. (3) From high-school age to ages 55-64, gender differences were notable in the regulation processes (positive reinterpretation, patience, and tendency to give up readily) that reduce the discrepancy between the ideal and actual self, but no differences were found in participants who were 65-86 years old.