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Hope for the Future and Avoidance of the Present: Associations with Well-being in Older Adults

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  • Susan J. Ferguson

    (Macquarie University)

  • Alan J. Taylor

    (Macquarie University)

  • Catherine McMahon

    (Macquarie University)

Abstract

Positive psychology and third wave cognitive behavioral therapy approaches have seldom been applied to older adults. This study therefore examined whether two concepts drawn from these areas, hope for the future and avoidance in the present, were associated with well-being in a sample of 259 older adults (65–94 years). Hope was measured as a stable trait. Experiential avoidance was measured as avoidance of present internal and external events. Respondents also completed two well-being measures: hedonic (positive and negative affect) and eudeimonic (meaning in life). Path analyses showed that high hope was significantly associated with high positive affect, and high meaning in life; and high experiential avoidance was associated with high negative affect and low meaning in life. This was also true when both (hope and avoidance) were taken into account, along with sociodemographic variables and perceived health. Many of the pathways between hope and well-being, and between experiential avoidance and well-being appear to be bidirectional. However the path from hope to positive affect was stronger than that from positive affect to hope. Further research is needed to clarify each of these points. Both hope for the future and lack of avoidance in the present are important for well-being in older adulthood and interventions targeting these processes may enhance positive aging and contribute to a sense of having a meaningful life.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan J. Ferguson & Alan J. Taylor & Catherine McMahon, 2017. "Hope for the Future and Avoidance of the Present: Associations with Well-being in Older Adults," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(5), pages 1485-1506, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:18:y:2017:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-016-9787-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-016-9787-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Despina Moraitou & Chrysa Kolovou & Chrysa Papasozomenou & Catherine Paschoula, 2006. "Hope and Adaptation to Old Age: Their Relationship with Individual-Demographic Factors," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 76(1), pages 71-93, March.
    2. Nardi Steverink & Gerben J. Westerhof & Christina Bode & Freya Dittmann-Kohli, 2001. "The Personal Experience of Aging, Individual Resources, and Subjective Well-Being," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 56(6), pages 364-373.
    3. Mohsen Joshanloo, 2014. "Eastern Conceptualizations of Happiness: Fundamental Differences with Western Views," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 475-493, April.
    4. Fledderus, M. & Bohlmeijer, E.T. & Smit, F. & Westerhof, G.J., 2010. "Mental health promotion as a new goal in public mental health care: A randomized controlled trial of an intervention enhancing psychological flexibility," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(12), pages 2372-2378.
    5. Michael Steger & Todd Kashdan, 2007. "Stability and specificity of meaning in life and life satisfaction over one year," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 161-179, June.
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    1. Ying Cai & Tuo Zeng & Ruixiang Gao & Yongxing Guo & Ya Wang & Daoqun Ding, 2024. "A Cross-lagged Longitudinal Study of Bidirectional Associations between Meaning in Life and Academic Engagement: The Mediation of Hope," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 19(5), pages 2665-2684, October.

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