Revisiting Happiness and Well-Being in Later Life from Interdisciplinary Age-Studies Perspectives

Ieva Stončikaitė

doi:10.3390/bs9090094

Abstract

Important demographic shifts and the so-called ‘longevity revolution’ have generated profound transformations in social interpretations of old age, an increased interest in age studies and new ideas on how to age well. The majority of current successful ageing models, however, represent rather a prevailing construct in Western societies. Physical and psychosocial well-being and the ability to adjust to the ideals of successful ageing are often seen as an integral part of a good quality in life. Those who do not or cannot follow these lines are often regarded as morally irresponsible and seem to be doomed to have a lonely, unhealthy and unhappy later life. This paper questions the current discourses of successful ageing in terms of healthy and happy living and calls for a reconsideration of more global, integrated and holistic understandings of the process of growing old.

Highlights

Important demographic shifts and the so-called ‘longevity revolution’ have generated profound transformations in social interpretations of old age, an increased interest in age studies and new ideas on how to age well
The traditional view of old age, which was closely linked to the social and biological understanding of ageing and the narrative of decline—a stage marked by losses and decay [8]—has been challenged through the emergence of the idea of rejuvenation, happiness, well-being and prolongevity in the new generation of older adults, with a special focus on the model of successful ageing, which has greatly altered the definitions and understandings of the process of growing old
This article has interrogated the current perceptions of happiness, health and well-being in later life from an interdisciplinary age-studies perspective

Summary

Changing Social Demographics and Understandings of Old Age

According to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund (2012), there are more than 850 million people in the world over the age of 60, which is almost 12.3% of the global population [1]. With an increase in human longevity, age-focused norms have become more blurred and more flexible These changes give way to different interpretations and understandings of age, and to the transcendence of age-related categories and behaviours [11,12,13]. Increased consumption and exposure to new market goods, fashion, the beauty ideals and self-care products and services led to the adoption of more diverse roles available to older people. These changes were visible in new ways of self-expression, personal choices and lifestyles, which were marked by more freedom and the invention of middle age lifestyles. The traditional view of old age, which was closely linked to the social and biological understanding of ageing and the narrative of decline—a stage marked by losses and decay [8]—has been challenged through the emergence of the idea of rejuvenation, happiness, well-being and prolongevity in the new generation of older adults, with a special focus on the model of successful ageing, which has greatly altered the definitions and understandings of the process of growing old

Psychological Well-Being and Successful Ageing

Alternative Understandings of Successful Ageing

Findings

Conclusions