Conceptions about the positive functioning of middle-aged and elderly adults

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Published: Dec 12, 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2021.n2.v2.2224
Keywords:
adult development aging well-being lay conceptions university students

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Maria João Carapeto
Universidade de Evora, Escola de Ciencias Sociais, Departamento de Psicologia
Luísa Grácio
CIEP-UE - Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia - Universidade de Évora, Portugal Universidade de Evora, Escola de Ciencias Sociais, Departamento de Psicologia
Heldemerina Pires
CIEP-UE - Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia - Universidade de Évora, Portugal Universidade de Evora, Escola de Ciencias Sociais, Departamento de Psicologia

Abstract

Positive functioning in middle age and the elderly has been associated with a set of developmental characteristics and processes. In middle age, psychological adaptation was associated with generativity or reaching or maintaining professional satisfaction, while in the elderly it has been associated with acceptance and positive reflection on past and present life or active aging. Positive functioning has also been conceptualized in terms of subjective (positive affect, life satisfaction), psychological (self-acceptance, positive relationships, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, personal growth) and social (integration, contribution, coherence, actualization, acceptance) wellbeing. Authors also highlight social, socioeconomic and cultural differences in psychosocial adaptation. However, little is known about the personal conceptions of young people about the positive functioning of older people. Thus, the main objective of this study was to explore and compare the criteria of positive functioning of middleaged and elderly people, from the perspective of young people. A sample of university students answered a questionnaire, indicating characteristics of the positive functioning of four acquaintance persons (two middle-aged and two elderly) from their communities. A total of 434 descriptors of 55 middle-aged and 52 elderly people were generated and a content analysis was carried out considering theoretical categories of subjective, psychological and social well-being. A qualitative and quantitative analysis was then performed. Descriptors related to psychological well-being were more frequent than those related to subjective well-being, in both stages of life. There were no differences between middle age and elderly in terms of frequency of psychological well-being categories, but some subjective well-being categories were more frequently mentioned in one of the stages. Participants did not use social well-being descriptors. The results are discussed in the context of the literature on the subject.

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How to Cite
Carapeto, M. J., Grácio, L., & Pires, H. (2021). Conceptions about the positive functioning of middle-aged and elderly adults. International Journal of Developmental and Educational Psychology. Revista INFAD De Psicología., 2(2), 181–190. https://doi.org/10.17060/ijodaep.2021.n2.v2.2224
Issue
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2021): LEARNING IN A POSITIVE MOOD: THE RESPONSE TO COVID-19
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Articles
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