Applied Research in Consulting

Investigating the lived experiences of the elderly in Tehran in relation to psychological well-being and comparing it with the psychological well-being of Ryff

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Mahdi Vafanoush 1
kiumars farah bakhsh 2
hosein salimi bajestani 2
noorali farrokhi 3

1 PhD in Counseling, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Counseling Department, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

3 Associate Professor of Measurement and Measurement Department, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract
Introduction: Understanding the concept of well-being from the perspective of the elderly and identifying its important factors can play a significant role in increasing the quality and satisfaction of the elderly.

Method: In this study, the descriptive phenomenology method was used to collect data and the Collaizi method was used to analyze the data in the qualitative part. The number of participants was based on the theoretical saturation of twenty elderly men and women living in Tehran province. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. The obtained data were analyzed to explain the well-being factors in old age.

Results: Five themes were extracted from the findings in the qualitative section, which include vitality, health and dynamism, personal growth and richness, interpersonal relationships, strength. which has something in common with some components of Ryff's well-being, and in some cases it is more comprehensive than Ryff's well-being components, suitable for increasing the well-being of Iranian elderly.

Conclusion: The results of this research can be used by many psychologists, counselors and experts in the field of geriatrics in the field of how to advise and educate the elderly in order to increase the well-being of the elderly.

Keywords

psychological well-being
old age
lived experiences
6)       Adler, Alejandro & Seligman, Martin. (2016). Using wellbeing for public policy: Theory, measurement, and recommendations. International Journal of Wellbeing. 6. 1-35. 10.5502/ijw. v6i1.429.
7)       Avis, N. E., Colvin, A., Hess, R., & Bromberger, J. T. (2021). Midlife Factors Related to Psychological Well-Being at an Older Age: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation. Journal of women's health (2002), 30(3), 332–340. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2020.8479
8)       Compton, W.C. Towards A Tripartite Factor Structure of Mental Health: Subjective Well-being, Personal Growth, and Teligiosity, The Journal of Psychology. 2001; 135: 486–500
9)       De Pue, S., Gillebert, C., Dierckx, E., Vanderhasselt, M. A., De Raedt, R., & Van den Bussche, E. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults. Scientific reports, 11(1), 4636. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84127-7
10)    Ferrand C, Martinent G, Durmaz N. Psychological need satisfaction and well-being in adults aged 80years and older living in residential homes: Using a self-determination theory-perspective. Journal of Aging Studies. 2014; 30:104-11.
11)    Kim, Mi & Kim, Kwuy. (2013). Influencing of Psychological Well-Being for the Middle Aged Adults and Elderly. Journal of East-West Nursing Research. 19. 10.14370/jewnr.2013.19.2.150.
12)    Lavretsky, Helen. Resilience and Aging: Research and Practice. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/book.34895.
13)    Ryff, C., & Keyes, C. (1995). The Structure of Psychological Well-Being Revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 719-727.
14)    Steptoe, A., Deaton, A., & Stone, A. A. (2015). Subjective wellbeing, health, and ageing. Lancet (London, England), 385(9968), 640–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61489-0

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us