Ageing-related influences on personal need for structure

Abstract

The need for structure construct was examined in relation to adult age using the Personal Need for Structure scale (PNS; M.M. Thompson, M.E. Naccarato, & K. Parker, 1989). The results of a series of confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the two intercorrelated-factor structure of the PNS scale held up well across individuals aged 21 to 85, validating its use for the examination of ageing effects. Structural equation modelling analyses found that ageing was associated with lower levels of physical health and cognitive skill, which in turn were related to higher PNS scores. It was also found, however, that the impact of reductions in these resources on need for structure were counteracted by high levels of social activity and emotional health. The argument is made that ageing-related changes in personal resources impact everyday behaviour through changes in motivation, such as need for structure.