Late Adulthood (Old Age) and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

The present study examines the level of psychological well-being in late adulthood (old age). Late adulthood represents one of the significant stages of human development. Alongside other develop­mental issues, researchers in developmental psychology are increasingly interested in understanding the psychological well-being of older adults.

Psychological well-being is understood as a holistic personal state reflecting life satisfaction and mental health. The aim of the study was to determine the level of psychological well-being among older adults in Georgia and to explore whether similar patterns emerge as those reported in international research, which suggests that age alone does not determine life satisfaction. Instead, factors such as physical health, social integration, family conditions, and self-perception play a more substantial role.

The sample consisted of 32 participants aged between 60 and 79 years. The research instrument was Carol Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale. It was hypothesized that psychological well-being among Georgian older adults would be lower than that reported in international studies.

Contrary to expectations, the results revealed a moderate, positive, and statistically significant correla­tion between age and psychological well-being (ρ = .37; p = .038), indicating that well-being tends to increase with age. These findings are consistent with contemporary research suggesting that psychological well-being is not determined solely by chronological age.