scholarly journals Presence of Meaning Mediates the Relationship Between Meaning Search and Outcome: A Cross-Cultural Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 308-308
Author(s):  
Nicole Long Ki Fung ◽  
Helene Fung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Dialectical Thinking ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Presence Of Meaning ◽  
Process And Outcome ◽  
Eastern Cultures ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Search for meaning (SFM) is associated with many well-being measures. The mechanism behind remains unclear. This study explores presence of meaning (POM) as a mediator to explain the association. While dialectical thinking in Eastern cultures values both process and outcome, oppositional thinking in Western cultures makes the two opposing. Since dialectical thinking increases with age, we hypothesize that with increased age, SFM is associated with POM more positively (less negatively). This heightened POM results in better well-being. We surveyed 2014 participants (aged 18-96, Mage= 55.6) in Eastern cultures: Hong Kong and Taiwan; Western cultures: Germany, United States and the Czech Republic. In Eastern cultures, SFM was positively associated with POM and life satisfaction. POM partially mediated the relationship between SFM and life satisfaction (b=0.328, p<.001). With age, SFM was associated more positively with POM and life satisfaction (b=0.009, p<.001). While POM partially mediated the relationship in younger adults (b=0.162, p<.001), full mediation was found in older adults (b=0.451, p<.001). In Western cultures, SFM was negatively associated with POM and life satisfaction. POM partially mediated the relationship between SFM and life satisfaction (b=-0.120, p<.001). With age, the negative association of SFM with POM and life satisfaction was attenuated (b=0.002, p<.001). These finding suggested that SFM becomes more beneficial to older adults across culture via establishing POM. Identifying factors that facilitate the process of achieving meaning through searching is therefore important.

Who We Live With and How We Are Feeling: A Study of Household Living Arrangements and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults in China

2020 ◽  
pp. 016402752096154
Author(s):  
Wen-Jui Han ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Cliff Whetung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

Using a sample of Chinese adults over the age of 50 from wave 1 of the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (n = 13,367), we investigated the relationship between living arrangements and subjective well-being (SWB) in regard to life satisfaction, happiness, and control. We also looked at the moderating role of resources, proxied by income and hukou status. Multivariate regression results indicate that living only with a spouse was significantly associated with better SWB. Multigenerational living arrangements may not always promote SWB, particularly when resources are constrained. Yet, results also underscore the importance of daughters and daughters-in-law in promoting SWB among older adults. Older adults in rural areas had better SWB, including greater life satisfaction if living with grandchildren only, compared to their urban peers living with a spouse only. Findings suggest that context matters in the association between living arrangements and older adults’ SWB.

scholarly journals AGE, EXPERIENCE OF RACIAL MICROAGGRESSIONS, AND DISTRESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S711-S712
Author(s):  
Shayla Thompson ◽  
Broderick Sawyer ◽  
Suzanne Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Racial Microaggressions ◽  
Amazon Mechanical Turk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Anger Rumination ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Racial microaggressions are a common form of racial discrimination consisting of subtle or interpersonal slights. Racial microaggressions are linked to various kinds of psychological distress in younger adults, but have not been studied across the lifespan. We examined the relationship of racial microaggressions with psychological distress and anger rumination among younger and older adults identified as racial or ethnic minorities. We hypothesized that age would moderate the relationship between racial microaggressions and psychological distress and anger rumination, that is, the relationship would be weaker for older than for younger adults. Participants were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and were compensated $1 for their participation. Preliminary tests of the hypotheses (N=220), using multiple regression analyses to test for moderation, failed to support the hypothesis that age would mitigate the impact of microaggressions on symptom severity. Both age and microaggressions were related to psychological distress and anger rumination, but contrary to prediction, older adults showed more exacerbation of distress in the face of microaggressions than younger adults. The results also differed by gender and ethnic groups, suggesting the importance of examining intersectional experiences of race, gender, and age in response to discrimination. These cross-sectional findings lend support to the importance of considering both subtle and overt discriminatory experiences in understanding the mental health challenges for minority groups in the U.S., but more work is needed to examine the intersection of ethnicity with other demographic variables, and to understand how the lifelong experiences of discrimination may shape older adults’ vulnerability, well-being, and resilience.

Impact of Savoring Ability on the Relationship Between Older Adults’ Activity Engagement and Well-Being

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Smith ◽  
Joseph G. Bihary ◽  
Dugan O’Connor ◽  
Ajla Basic ◽  
Catherine J. O’Brien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
Positive Feelings ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between activity engagement and well-being can vary based on individual characteristics, and it is important to identify moderating factors to support the development and implementation of aging services. The current study examined whether the relationship between activity engagement and well-being depends on older adults’ savoring ability, that is, the ability to attend to positive experiences and to engage in emotion regulation strategies to enhance positive feelings during those experiences. A total of 5,128 older adults ( Mage = 83.86 years) completed measures of activity engagement, savoring, and well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, depression, loneliness, purpose, and health). Multilevel modeling analyses revealed that activity engagement and savoring independently predicted better functioning across all well-being measures. However, savoring moderated the relationship between activity engagement and four well-being measures (life satisfaction, depression, loneliness, and purpose). Findings suggest that older adults with low activity engagement may particularly benefit from savoring-skills training to enhance their psychological well-being.

The Benefits of Savoring Life

2016 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Smith ◽  
Fred B. Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Social Functioning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Positive Interventions ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Lower Life Satisfaction

We investigated the protective impact of savoring capacity on the relationship between physical health and psychological well-being among older adults. A total of 266 adults over 55 years old ( Mean = 73.4 years) completed measures of savoring ability, self-reported health, and life satisfaction. Savoring ability moderated the relationship between health and life satisfaction in older adults. Among people with less savoring ability, poor health was associated with lower life satisfaction. In contrast, people with greater savoring ability maintained higher life satisfaction, regardless of their level of health. These effects were consistent across a variety of different aspects of health, including general health, pain, limitations due to physical health, energy, and social functioning. These findings have direct implications for developing positive interventions to support the psychological well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals Benefits of Gardening for Elderly Women

HortScience ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 609a-609
Author(s):  
M.L. George ◽  
J.M. Zajicek
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Older Women ◽  
Elderly Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
Community Gardening ◽  
The Relationship

Persons ≥60 years of age comprise a significant and growing segment of the U.S. population. More than one half of the elderly are female, and as age increases, the ratio of women to men increases as well. Gardening has long been known to be beneficial to older adults physically and psychologically. Our quantitative objective was to investigate the relationship between gardening and life satisfaction, self-esteem, and locus of control of elderly women. Our qualitative objective was to investigate the motivations to garden and the personal, self-rated benefits of gardening experienced by older women. About 45 participants were chosen from 1) volunteers in a horticultural therapy program, 2) participants in a community gardening project for older adults, and 3) participants in a community health project. During the first of two interviews, the participants completed survey instruments measuring self-esteem, locus of control, and life satisfaction. They also provided brief information about their gardening history along with demographic variables of age, ethnicity, educational background, and income level. During the second interview, the participants expanded on their experiences as gardeners, relating information such as how they became gardeners, how they learned to garden, and what factors influenced them to continue gardening. They were specifically asked to relate how they have personally benefited from gardening. Results examine the relationship between gardening and the psychological well-being of the older women.

scholarly journals Older Canadians’ Identity and Well-Being in Retirement

2021 ◽  
pp. 009141502110015
Author(s):  
Nicky J. Newton
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Identity Processes ◽  
Age Related ◽  
New Information ◽  
Identity Disruption ◽  
Process Assimilation ◽  
The Relationship

Retirement can be a time of identity disruption for many older adults. Identity process theory (Whitbourne et al., 2002) states that age-related changes, such as retirement, can prompt an individual to incorporate new information about themselves into their personal identity using one of three identity process: assimilation, accommodation, and balance. Additionally, individual identity and the manner in which individuals retire—voluntary or involuntary—are associated with post-retirement well-being (Newton et al., 2018). The current study examined the relationship between identity processes, planned/unplanned retirement, and hedonic (life satisfaction) and eudaimonic (meaning in life) well-being in a sample of retired Canadians. Results indicated that identity accommodation and balance were associated with both types of post-retirement well-being, whereas unplanned retirement was consistently only related to life satisfaction. This study emphasizes the importance of including individual difference factors when examining older adults’ well-being and the utility of measuring well-being in multiple ways.

Cognition–Well-Being Relations in Old Age

GeroPsych ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Wettstein ◽  
Hans-Werner Wahl ◽  
Vera Heyl
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hearing Impaired ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. We examine whether sensory impairment moderates the association between cognitive performance and well-being and, if so, whether such a moderation effect is due to a mediating mechanism via everyday competence in sensory-impaired individuals. Our sample consisted of visually-impaired (VI, n = 121), hearing-impaired (HI, n = 116), and sensory-unimpaired older adults (UI, n = 150), with a mean age of 82.50 years (SD = 4.71 years). Multiple measures of well-being (life satisfaction, affect, loneliness) as well as several established tests of cognitive performance were included. We found stronger relationships between cognitive performance and well-being in the HI and VI group than in UI individuals. Furthermore, the relationship was mostly mediated by everyday competence both in VI and HI older adults.

scholarly journals Do Feelings and Knowledge About Aging Predict Ageism?

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-37
Author(s):  
Cassandra Cooney ◽  
Jillian Minahan ◽  
Karen L. Siedlecki
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Death Anxiety ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Quality Of Contact

Experiencing ageism has been shown to negatively impact older adults. This study investigated predictors of ageism to examine which are most important in accounting for ageist attitudes. Participants ( N = 419) between the ages of 18 and 86 completed an online survey assessing ageism and several predictors of ageism. Higher levels of anxiety about aging, lower levels of knowledge of aging, and less frequent and lower quality of contact with older adults uniquely predicted ageism beyond the influence of demographic and well-being factors. Anxiety about aging fully mediated the relationship between death anxiety and ageism, and the relationship between attitudes toward own aging and ageism. Moderation analyses showed that knowledge of aging buffered the impact of anxiety about aging on ageism such that low knowledge of aging and high anxiety about aging were particularly impactful in predicting ageism in younger adults, as compared with older adults.

scholarly journals Number of roles and well-being among older adults in the Czech Republic

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbora Hubatková
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Role Overload ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Individual Role

This article aims to analyze the relationship between number of roles, stress, and overall well-being among 50- to 70-year-olds in the Czech Republic and to assess whether this link can be at least partially attributed to other role-related factors, namely individual role types, role overload, and role strain. Using OLS regression, the number of roles was found to be positively related to both stress and overall well-being. The link between multiple roles and well-being among elderly Czechs was mostly irreducible to other role-related factors. However, some of the positive association between number of roles and stress was likely due to occupying a worker role, experiencing role overload and experiencing one role as particularly concerning or difficult, while some of the positive association between multiple roles and overall well-being was partially attributable to occupying grandparental and “active ager” roles.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document