Motivation in later life: personal projects and well-being

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Personal projects are crucial for understanding older adults' lives.
• Previous research has not fully explored the diversity of personal projects in this demographic.
• The relationship between personal projects, health, and well-being requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and categorize personal projects undertaken by community-dwelling older adults.
• To examine the influence of background factors and health status on personal project engagement.
• To investigate the association between personal projects and measures of positive and negative affect.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 600 community residents aged 70+ participated.
• Personal projects were elicited and analyzed using factor analysis.
• Health status and background factors were assessed and correlated with project data.

Main Results:

• Six distinct types of personal projects were identified: activities of daily living, active recreation, other-oriented activities, intellectual activities, home planning, and spiritual moral activities.
• Background factors and health significantly influenced the number and types of personal projects reported.
• Most personal project indices correlated positively with affect and life valuation, with minimal association with depression.

Conclusions:

• Personal projects are diverse and influenced by individual circumstances and health in older adults.
• Engagement in personal projects is strongly linked to positive affect and life satisfaction, but not depression.
• Personal projects are integral to an open motivational system, interacting with social, cognitive, and health factors.