Self Perceived Well Being Among Retired Older Adults:
The Positive Side of Aging
Helen Halstead

Purposes of this study were to determine differences among selected variables and older adults’ self-perceived well being, in addition to exploring implications for holistic health care. The study was conducted in an urban retirement center where a random sample of seventy-two persons participated in interviews and physical examinations.

The null hypotheses stated that there were no significant differences in various aspects of well being as measured by the Well Being Assessment Interview Schedule, and the independent variables of health status, age level, sex, marital status, length of stay at the retirement center, past occupation, educational level, and income level. The well being assessment battery included the Life Satisfaction Index-z, the Moberg Spiritual Well Being and Religious Questionnaire and the Belloc and Breslow Health Behaviors Questionnaire which were utilized in structured interviews. In addition, physical examinations were performed on the residents to ascertain the independent variable of health status. The hypotheses were tested by the statistical techniques of analysis of variance and Pearson product moment correlation.

No significant differences were found between older adults' perceived well being as measured by the components of the Well Being Assessment Interview Schedule, and the independent variables listed previously. Extensive descriptive data revealed a high level of contentment among residents, a positive attitude regarding physical health status despite presence of physical disease entities, a positive sense of spiritual well being, and a prevailing perception of feeling younger than the actual chronological age.

Limitations imposed upon the study related to a rather homogeneous sample, and limited generalizability to the older population at large. Recommendations for further research included longitudinal studies of this sample to observe aging effects, refinement of well being assessment instrument(s) and comparative studies with other older adults in nursing home and community settings.