Technological and social advances have markedly lifted the life expectancy of individuals, favoring considerable population aging and an increase in long-stay institutions for the elderly. The impact of institutionalization on the psychological functioning of this age group is still little investigated in Brazil. In this study, the objective was to characterize and compare affective experiences in institutionalized and non-institutionalized elderly, using standardized psychological assessment instruments. Indicators from the use of psychological assessment tools were sought in elderly people over 60 years of age. Participants were sought in two housing conditions: a) Residents in Long-Term Institutions for the Elderly; b) residents in their homes. The institutionalized formed Group 1 (G1, n = 25), while elderly people living in their homes (G2, n = 25) formed Group 2 (comparison group), assessed by the following materials: sociodemographic questionnaire and Brazil's Economic Classification Criteria, Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSS), Affect Scale (AS), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and Pfister's Colored Pyramids Test (PCPT). The instrument data were systematized according to the respective technical manuals. Descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed, comparing the means and effect size calculation (Student's t test, p≤0.05; Cohen's d) of G1 and G2 in numerical variables, or comparative analysis of the distribution of cases (chi-square, p≤0.05) and effect size (Cramer's V). There were statistically significant differences between G1 and G2 in self-esteem (RSS), negative affects (affect scale) and indicators of logical functioning (PCPT). At PANAS there were no specific indicators for the groups evaluated. The institutionalized elderly showed lower self-esteem (mean RSS less), more negative affections (greater sum in negative emotions on affect scale) and greater emotional amplitude (wide chromatic formula in all cases on PCPT), suggesting specific markers in their affective dynamics. In logical terms, G1 needed more working time for activities (higher mean in total PCPT) and less abstract elaboration of stimuli (more carpets in PCPT). The comparison of the current findings with normative expectations for the elderly in the community showed that G1 and G2 elderly had lower results in terms of selfesteem and similar in positive and negative affections, predominating positive affectivity. In the PCPT the G2 elderly followed the normative references, but G1 showed differences in five of the 10 colors (blue, violet, yellow, brown and gray) and chromatic syndromes (stimulus and colorless), signaling greater withdrawal and anxiety. These findings pointed out specificities in the cognitive and emotional functioning of institutionalized elders, empirically attesting the relevance of housing conditions and social support in psychic organization at this stage of development. Further research on the complex network of variables associated with these particularities is necessary in the face of increa...