Mental Well-Being in Later Life: The Role of Strengths Use, Meaning in Life, and Self-Perceptions of Ageing

Abstract

Population ageing requires an understanding of the factors that enhance optimal functioning in later life. Moreover, for individual and societal well-being it demands a more balanced view of the ageing process that also accentuates human capital and realisation of potential. This study therefore explored the relationships between strengths use, mental well-being, meaning in life, self-perceptions of ageing, and socio-demographic characteristics of older adults. The study sample consisted of 88 older individuals (ages 55–88 years) who completed the following measures: Strengths Use Scale, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, Meaning in Life scale, and Attitude Toward Own Ageing. An open-ended question was added to explore contextual factors that may enable older adults to use their strengths more. Correlation analyses showed that greater strengths use was associated with higher levels of mental well-being in older individuals. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed strengths use as a significant predictor of mental well-being. Participants with more positive self-perceptions of ageing were applying their strengths to a greater extent. Although self-perceptions of ageing was not an additional predictor of strengths use. Furthermore, mediation analyses showed a significant and large indirect effect of strengths use on mental well-being through meaning in life. Various contextual factors such as appreciation of older adults and opportunities for work and engagement have been indicated as avenues to support greater strengths use. Results suggest that practicing strengths is important for positive mental health and the process of ageing well. Strategies to enhance greater strengths use in the ageing population are discussed.