Abstract
Background Aging, a state often associated with poor emotional health status greatly impedes life quality and independence for many. Aim This mini review examines the potential of the concept of positive psychology as an active approach to fostering successful or more successful, rather than suboptimal aging. Methods and Procedures Articles that addressed the current topic of interest and were located in the PUBMED, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar electronic data bases were carefully sought and analyzed and presented in narrative form. Results Various forms of positive psychology appear to provide a safe efficacious evidence based approach for purposes of ameliorating various degrees of anxiety and depression and for improving cognition, life quality, and health well-being in diverse subgroups of older adults Conclusion More research to examine who might benefit most from this highly promising form of intervention, and in what respect appears to have considerable merit in light of the growing populations of older adults and few intervention options to help them to age optimally and as successfully as possible.
Highlights
Aging, which is generally accepted as an inevitable state of organ and tissue declines, and one frequently associated with one or more chronic health conditions, commonly induces feelings of anxiety, depression, fear and beliefs in limitations, rather than perceptions of confidence and control in many older adults
Various forms of positive psychology appear to provide a safe efficacious evidence based approach for purposes of ameliorating various degrees of anxiety and depression and for improving cognition, life quality, and health well-being in diverse subgroups of older adults
The term positive psychology was largely employed to examine interventions, treatment methods or intentional activities aimed at cultivating positive feelings, positive behaviors, or positive cognitions believed to enhance well-being and ameliorate depressive symptoms [7] as opposed to the hypothesized negative scenario depicted in Figure 1 below
Summary
Aging, which is generally accepted as an inevitable state of organ and tissue declines, and one frequently associated with one or more chronic health conditions, commonly induces feelings of anxiety, depression, fear and beliefs in limitations, rather than perceptions of confidence and control in many older adults. The idea that one can still engage early on in life in health protective behaviors, but can actively pursue the idea of aging ‘successfully’ or a state where life quality, autonomy, self-efficacy, and feeling purposeful can be maintained, improved or optimized appears to be gaining support. Given the growing need for health providers to assist older adults to avoid preventable illnesses and to enable them to cope effectively with chronic illnesses, and find meaning and purpose in life, which are positive features of ‘successful aging’, it appears there is some merit to examining if a focus on positive aspects of their experiences, rather than the negative or unchangeable issues will be more helpful than not. Articles that addressed the current topic of interest and were located in the PUBMED, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar electronic data bases were carefully sought and analyzed and presented in narrative form
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