Bienestar psicológico en función de la etapa de vida, el sexo y su interacción

Abstract

Objective . To evaluate the differences in the dimensions of psychological well-being in reference to age, gender and their interaction. Method. A sample with 706 participants was obtained and then divided in three age groups (young, middle-aged adults and elderly adults), who responded to the Ryff Psychological Well-being Scale A MANOVA was calculated taking into account the group variables of age, gender and their interaction. Later, an ANOVA was done to know among which groups there were differences for each dimension. Results. The analysis showed a decrease, with age, in the dimensions of psychological well-being of positive relationships with others, and personal growth, domain of the environment and loss of autonomy in the elderly adults. In addition, the dimension of self-acceptance differs between the genders with age; women showed a decrease in their personal growth with age, while the domain of the environment increases with the adult age being more stable among women. Conclusion. Based on the above, it is suggested that a work in negative and maladaptive thoughts in women, since men get a better score in dimensions that diminish the appearance of pathologies related to the mood. A work in the social relationships as well as the individuals’aptitudes should be encouraged.