Quality of Life and Psychological Strengths of Older People

Overview

Older adults have psychological strengths that promote psychological well-being and reduce distress (depression or anxiety) and loneliness, enhancing their quality of life (QoL). These strengths can play a key role in a psychological intervention programme to promote QoL. Ageing and stress may increase the likelihood of illness in older people. When social policies and values, such as ageism and age-based discrimination, are added to this, older people are perceived as one of the most vulnerable groups in the population. The novelty of the study focuses on the paradigm shift regarding ageing, from the traditional model of decline associated with older people, in which ageing is associated with illness, functional decline and dependence, to a more positive view focused on personal strengths to cope with adversity, and how this relates to psychological well-being, emotional distress and QoL. The first and main reason for conducting this research is the scarcity of studies based on the model of strengths or gains in relation to ageing. Therefore, the relevance of this study lies, on the one hand, in offering a change of perspective on old age, from a negative view (illness or vulnerability) to an approach based on strengths, and on the other hand, in gaining a deeper understanding of the strengths of older people, the associated factors and the role they play in cushioning adversity, such as in the COVID-19 pandemic. Most older people remain healthy, independent and enjoy high levels of well-being and QoL, with factors such as resilience cushioning the consequences of stress and ageing. In this vein, it has been shown that age strengthens the ability to distance oneself from stressful situations and re-evaluate them positively, and older people report greater emotional well-being compared to younger adults. Furthermore, it is well known that having good social support seems to have long-term health benefits. Some recent studies related to the pandemic show that older people, despite being the most threatened by the situation, had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to younger people, contrary to expectations. Furthermore, coping strategies, such as resilience and social support, are mediating factors in the well-being of older people exposed to COVID-19. Psychology, and psychogerontology in particular, is responsible for designing interventions aimed at increasing the likelihood of successful ageing. In fact, managing emotions is essential for people's health, well-being and QoL. In this sense, the emergence of positive psychology represents a change in therapeutic and rehabilitation processes. This psychological trend leaves behind a model based mainly on negative aspects and loss, in order to enhance human qualities that can act as buffers against adversity. In this way, a shift in focus is established, suggesting that in addition to trying to alleviate pathological aspects, it is equally important to find people's qualities or virtues in order to achieve greater QoL. COVID-19 has led to older people being portrayed as a homogeneous group, even though increased life expectancy means that this is the longest stage of life, with studies reflecting the great diversity of older people. They are repeatedly portrayed as vulnerable, with messages that convey paternalism ('our elders') and overprotection, despite scientific literature indicating that this can have serious consequences. Throughout their lives, older people have had to face adversity, which they have been able to overcome or accept thanks to psychological strengths such as resilience, acceptance and gratitude, among others.