en
Scientific article
Open access
English

Goals do not buy well-being, but they help

Published inSwiss Journal of Psychology, vol. 79, no. 3-4, p. 137-148
Publication date2020
Abstract

Although personal goals give meaning in life and contribute to well-being, achieving goals can become difficult in older adults who face age-related challenges. Forty-nine older adults aged 65 to 92 years completed a semi-structured interview on personal goals, obstacles to goal achievement, and contributors to well-being. Using a thematic analysis, we identified several types of goals contributing to well-being, and general aspects of well-being. Results revealed that, although older people might say that they do not have big goals in their lives anymore, they end up mentioning many activities that theoretically are goals. Many of these activities are geared towards maintaining or increasing their general well-being. Of importance, they report few complaints regarding goal achievement, which they explained by reducing the number and breadth of their goals, adjusting and reevaluating these goals, and overcoming difficulties and stabilizing current functioning, thereby maintaining a sense of continuity and satisfying levels of well-being. This study illustrates the interactions between resources and stressors from older adults' own viewpoint. Taken together, results advocate for the usefulness of the functional quality of life model and proactive approaches to successful aging, and provide directions for individualized interventions in the elderly.

Keywords
  • Goals
  • Well-being
  • Older adults
  • Successful aging
  • Proactive behavioral adaptations
  • Qualitative research
Funding
Citation (ISO format)
JOLY-BURRA, Emilie et al. Goals do not buy well-being, but they help. In: Swiss Journal of Psychology, 2020, vol. 79, n° 3-4, p. 137–148. doi: 10.1024/1421-0185/a000243
Main files (1)
Article (Accepted version)
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
ISSN of the journal1421-0185
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Creation29.12.2020 13:34:00
First validation29.12.2020 13:34:00
Update time15.03.2023 23:48:49
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