Happy Alone? Motivational Profiles of Solitude and Well-Being Among Senior Living Residents

Abstract

Research on solitude in older adulthood is scarce, and findings are mixed on whether time alone at this age is risky or beneficial. A mixed-method study was conducted to examine patterns of motivations for solitude among senior living residents ( N = 397, Mage = 83) and associations with well-being. Cluster analyses identified four motivational profiles: Low, Positive, Negative, and Dual. Overall, those with Low and Positive motivations for solitude displayed greater levels of well-being on both hedonic (e.g., life satisfaction) and eudaimonic (e.g., personal growth) measures; in particular, the Positive profile showed significantly higher levels of psychological richness. Themes drawn from responses to open-ended survey questions asking about the benefits and challenges of both socializing and being alone are discussed in light of the four motivational profiles, and implications for aging services are discussed.

Cite this

Jennifer L. Smith, Virginia Thomas, Margarita Azmitia (2022). Happy Alone? Motivational Profiles of Solitude and Well-Being Among Senior Living Residents. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914150221112283

@article{l2022happy,
  title  = {Happy Alone? Motivational Profiles of Solitude and Well-Being Among Senior Living Residents},
  author = {Smith, Jennifer L. and Thomas, Virginia and Azmitia, Margarita},
  year   = {2022},
  journal = {The International Journal of Aging and Human Development},
  doi    = {10.1177/00914150221112283}
}

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