title: Mediational effect of meaning in life on the relationship between optimism and well-being in community elderly.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to examine the mediational role of meaning in life on the relationship between optimism and subjective well-being in older adults. Two hundred and fifty community-dwelling subjects completed several instruments assessing the above constructs. Results from structural equation modeling indicated that optimism was positively associated with both meaning in life and subjective well-being. Furthermore, the relationship between optimism and wellbeing was partially mediated by meaning in life. Although numerous studies have found that optimism is a significant predictor of well-being, the current results indicate that it might not be a key predictor in elders. Our findings suggest that a focus on meaning in life may be a productive avenue to enhance subjective well-being in later life although stable internal resources such as optimism and pessimism impact their subjective well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Haewon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ju
authors.forename: Jong Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Chan-won
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Myoung-ho
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.forename: Jin-woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires