UNDERSTANDING SUCCESSFUL AGING - THE POWER OF GROWTH MINDSETS AND OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE - Growth Mindset and Openness Study

Sep 29, 2026

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Examines how growth mindset and openness to experiences relate to successful aging in adults aged 60 to 80. The study hypothesizes that greater openness is linked to higher engagement, and that both openness and growth mindset predict cognitive and emotional components of successful aging. Results show openness and growth mindset associate with improved emotion and attention regulation, while growth mindset remains the key predictor in regression. Mediation analyses indicate openness links education to growth mindset, and growth mindset links openness to successful aging.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Growth mindset and openness to experience

Method and Hypotheses

Key Findings

Associations with cognitive and emotional regulation

Regression and mediation results

Implications

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 729 adults aged 60 to 80 years. We hypothesized that greater openness would be linked to increased engagement, and that both openness and growth mindset would predict cognitive and emotional aspects of successful aging. Our findings supported this hypothesis, showing that higher levels of openness and a growth mindset were associated with better aging outcomes, including improved emotion regulation and attention regulation. However, when we included both openness and growth mindset as predictors in a regression model of successful aging, only growth mindset emerged as a significant predictor. Mediation analyses revealed that openness mediated the relationship between years of education and growth mindset, and that growth mindset mediated the relationship between openness and successful aging. Our research supports the role of personality and mindsets in aging outcomes. Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2481 UNDERSTANDING SUCCESSFUL AGING: THE POWER OF GROWTH MINDSETS AND OPENNESS TO EXPERIENCE Jessica Fleck, Katherine Wilkinson, Tanya Sharma, Mackenzie Unsworth, Ava Marie Cacia, Claire Jacobus, and Janina Costello, Stockton University, Galloway, New Jersey, United States Successful aging has evolved beyond merely maintaining physical health and independence to encompass life satisfaction and overall well-being. Consequently, the elements that may contribute to successful aging have expanded to include personality traits, such as a growth mindset and openness to experiences. A growth mindset refers to the belief that an individual’s actions and efforts are more influential than predetermined factors, such as age or genetics, in determining outcomes. Openness, on the other hand, reflects a person’s willingness to consider new ideas and experiences and may promote successful aging, as individuals high in openness are more likely to engage in a diverse range of activities, which helps build cognitive reserve. We examined the roles of growth mindset and openness in successful aging among

FAQs

What is the study focusing on regarding successful aging?

It examines how growth mindset and openness to experience relate to successful aging beyond physical health and independence, including life satisfaction and well-being.

What relationship did the findings support between openness, growth mindset, and aging outcomes?

Higher openness and a growth mindset were associated with better aging outcomes, including improved emotion regulation and attention regulation.

Which predictor remained significant when both openness and growth mindset were included together?

Growth mindset emerged as the significant predictor in the regression model of successful aging.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Rowan