Gesundheit als lebensthema

The centrality and meaning of health in self- and life-conceptualizations was studied. Age-related differences in the centrality of health were hypothesized to be related to (a) a deterioration of one's health status, (b) a subjective theory which associates one's own aging process with a deterioration in physical functioning and (c) less stimulation from the environment. The SELE-sentence completion test (from the German SElbst and LEben), which activates spontaneous self- and life-descriptions, was presented to a representative German sample (N = 2.992). The centrality of health in the sentence completions was larger in older age groups (40-54yrs; 55-69yrs; 70-85yrs). Self-reported physical limitations as well as a health-related subjective aging theory correlated with the centrality of health. The hypothesis of less environmental stimulation was partially confirmed. Each life phase was found to have it's own unique meaning of health.