Defining Wellness in Older Adulthood: Toward a Comprehensive Framework

Fullen, Matthew C.

doi:10.1002/jcad.12236

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 82 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Emotional wellness was examined in three articles that looked at older people coping with stress in healthy or unhealthy ways (e.g., alcohol use). Although more research is needed to understand how wellness is uniquely defined by people as they grow older (Fullen, 2019), the total number of wellness‐oriented articles seemed to indicate that wellness continues to be a driving force behind counselors’ professional identity (Myers & Sweeney, 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gerontological counseling (GC) has a long‐standing yet complex history within the counseling profession. GC involves counseling practice aimed at the provision of services for older persons, aging communities, and transitions into later stages of life, necessitating unique models and specialized training (Fullen, 2019; Myers, 1992; Myers & Harper, 2004). Interest in GC dates back to the late 1970s when the first of several national projects on aging was initiated to address the growing concern that older adults had been “forgotten and ignored” (Myers, 1995, p. 143) by the counseling profession.…”

Section: Gerontological Counseling: History and Professional Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Current State of Gerontological Counseling Research: A 26‐Year Content Analysis

Fullen

Gorby

Chan

et al. 2019

Jour of Counseling & Develop

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Because of demographic changes and the prioritization of Medicare reimbursement, there is greater attention to the mental health needs of older adults. To better understand the current state of gerontological counseling research, the authors completed a content analysis of counseling scholarship spanning 26 years. Only 1.68% of the articles reviewed focused on topics related to gerontological counseling. The authors analyzed publishing patterns, topics explored, and the roles of theory and empirical research in gerontological counseling research.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Gerontological Counseling: History and Professional Statusmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Current State of Gerontological Counseling Research: A 26‐Year Content Analysis

Fullen

Gorby

Chan

et al. 2019

Jour of Counseling & Develop

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Both currently and historically, counseling has had a strong focus on mental health, including wellness (Fullen, 2019). Wellness is a life orientation toward optimal health and realizing one's maximum potential (Dunn, 1977; Myers et al, 2000).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Personal Growth Initiative and Mental Health: A Meta‐Analysis

Weigold

Weigold²,

Russell

et al. 2020

Jour of Counseling & Develop

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Personal growth initiative (PGI) is an individual's active and intentional desire to grow in personally important areas. In the past 20 years, a body of literature has emerged examining PGI's relationship to mental health. We conducted the first meta‐analyses to synthesize this literature. Two meta‐analyses examined the relationship between PGI total scores and distress (k = 22) and wellness (k = 37). Both average effect sizes were significant. We also examined the potential impact of nine moderators. The type of outcome assessed was a significant moderator for PGI and distress, and the PGI measure used was a significant moderator for PGI and wellness, accounting for 61% and 15% of the overall variance, respectively. Meta‐analyses examining the relationship between the four PGI subscales (Readiness for Change, Planfulness, Using Resources, and Intentional Behavior) and distress (k = 4) and wellness (k = 7) yielded similar results to the total score analyses.

show abstract

“…The second multidimensional model identified, Eight Dimensions of Wellness in Older Adults (Fullen, 2019), is a framework for wellness in older adults based on extensive review of the gerontology and helping professions literature, in which the correlates for longevity and quality of life were identified and organized into a theoretical framework. The author cites the prevalence of wellness models that were developed with college-age or working adults in mind (e.g., Hettler, 1976), suggesting the need for a framework that centers on the experiences of older adults.…”

Section: Rationale For a Specialized Wellness Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cognitive wellness incorporates intellectual wellness, or the application and sharing of knowledge (Swarbrick, 2006), and brain health (Fullen, 2019). This dimension includes executive functioning, language processing, problem solving, learning, engagement in intellectual activities, decision making, curiosity, and creativity.…”

Section: Cognitivementioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional wellness for people aging with mental health conditions: A proposed framework.

Zechner¹,

Swarbrick²,

Fullen

et al. 2022

Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: This project aimed to develop a synthesized framework of multidimensional wellness for people aging with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) using existing frameworks to serve as a guide for policy and interventions to address the unique needs, experiences, and strengths of the population. Method: A concept analysis compared a widely used wellness approach (Swarbrick, 1997) for people with SMHC and one for older adults (Fullen, 2019) to synthesize into a practical framework for people aging with SMHC. Results: Nine dimensions were proposed for conceptualizing the wellness of this population including: (a) Developmental, (b) Intellectual/Cognitive, (c) Physical, (d) Emotional, (e) Social, (f) Occupational, (g) Spiritual, (h) Environmental, and (i) Financial. Practical suggestions for implementation are identified. Conclusions and Implication for Practice: People aging with SMHC require rehabilitation services that address their unique perspectives, strengths, and challenges. The proposed adapted wellness framework offers a guide to comprehensively address well-being in people aging with SMHC. Placing the model in the context of external factors of resources and supports available, and the impact of societal perspectives about each dimension, further delineates a holistic model of wellness that considers well-being and successful living. This model can offer structure and practical application for services, and consideration of future needs of people aging with SMHC to support psychiatric rehabilitation services, as well as offer strategies to encourage positive aging and recovery. Future work should explore the impact of multidecade experiences of mental health conditions and the mental health system to better support individual recovery. Impact and ImplicationsPeople aging with significant mental health conditions can benefit from a tailored integrated multidimensional wellness framework informed by existing models to improve well-being, guide interventions, and frame policies. Developmental wellness is a critical addition to a multidimensional wellness framework to promote positive aging. Mental health providers should be aware of, and address challenges to, positive aging and recovery that can be described as developmental.

show abstract

Defining Wellness in Older Adulthood: Toward a Comprehensive Framework

Cited by 17 publications

References 82 publications

The Current State of Gerontological Counseling Research: A 26‐Year Content Analysis

The Current State of Gerontological Counseling Research: A 26‐Year Content Analysis

Personal Growth Initiative and Mental Health: A Meta‐Analysis

Multidimensional wellness for people aging with mental health conditions: A proposed framework.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About