Presence of Meaning in Life in Older Men and Women: The Role of Dimensions of Frailty and Social Support

Abstract

Presence of meaning in life is an important component of eudemonic wellbeing while aging. While subjective health and interpersonal relationships are among important sources of meaning for older adults, less research has explored the gender differences in the potential contribution of these sources to the presence of meaning in late life. The current study aims to examine the associations of frailty dimensions (daily activities, health problems, and psychosocial functioning) and social support with the presence of meaning in late life, and whether these associations differ for older men and women. The study employs the data from the 65+ and Safe Study – a cross-sectional survey of residents of senior apartments. The data were collected in 2019 in a mid-sized Swedish municipality (N=618; age range from 64 to 106years, 60.5% female). Results showed significant associations of health problems, psychosocial functioning, and social support with the presence of meaning in life. Further, the results demonstrated no statistically significant gender differences in the associations between frailty dimensions, social support, and presence of meaning. However, since the interaction between health problems and gender approached statistical significance, this association was further explored indicating a more detrimental role of health problems in relation to the presence of meaning in life among older men than among older women. Overall, the study highlights the importance of physical and psychosocial health and social support for the presence of meaning in life among older adults and warrants further research on possible gender differences in the relation between health problems and meaning in late life.

The relationship between physical exercise and subjective well-being in Chinese older people: The mediating role of the sense of meaning in life and self-esteem

“…In addition, we should encourage as many older people as possible to take part in regular and regular physical exercise. Some scholars believe that good health problems, psychosocial competence, and social support can be effective in enhancing older people's sense of meaning in life (Golovchanova et al, 2021). Other researchers have identified successful events experienced in life as an important factor in enhancing the level of self-esteem in older people (Rosi et al, 2019).…”

Meaning in Life, Death Anxiety, and Spirituality in the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Community: A Scoping Review

“…Zhang and colleagues (2022) advanced that meaning in life, for both men and women, is derived from prosocial behaviors or one's capability to be of service to others. Among older men and women, daily activities, health problems, psychosocial functioning, and social support contribute to their meaning in life (Golovchanova et al, 2021). It is interesting to underscore that certain factors that give meaning to life among men and women are reported in the scholarship since these factors remain unknown among LGBT + people.…”

The impact of social support for older adults in nursing homes on successful aging: a moderated mediation model

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