Curiosity in Later Life: Identifying Psychosocial Predictors Using Random Forest Modeling
Abstract
Curiosity supports adaptive cognitive and psychological functioning across the lifespan, yet prior research suggests that some dimensions of curiosity decline with age, and little is known about the psychosocial and lifestyle factors that are associated with higher curiosity in later life. This study investigated age-related differences in joyous exploration (JE) and identified key correlates of high JE among older adults. Data were drawn from the 2018 Ageing as Future study (N = 435; age 19–89). JE levels were compared between younger (
Fields of Study & Subjects
Psychological and Educational Research Studies
Aging and Gerontology Research
Recreation
Leisure
Wilderness Management
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Societies
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 61–61
- Publication date
- 13 February 2026
- Language
- EN