[Motivational orientation and depressive symptoms in the elderly]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Psychology
• Motivation Theory

Context:

• Research on elderly motivation highlights the significance of cognitive evaluation and self-determination in daily life.
• Understanding motivational orientations is crucial for assessing adaptation and well-being in older adults.
• The study investigates the relationship between different motivation types and geriatric depression.

Purpose:

• To examine the associations between four motivation types (intrinsic, self-determined extrinsic, non-self-determined extrinsic, and amotivation) and their impact on adaptation and well-being in the elderly.
• To explore the specific links between various motivational styles and geriatric depression levels.
• To determine if motivational styles differ between depressive and non-depressive elderly individuals.

Summary:

• Forty participants (aged 60+) living in nursing homes or their own homes were assessed using the Elderly Motivation Scale (EMPA) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS).
• Results revealed significant correlations: intrinsic and self-determined extrinsic motivation positively correlated with depression, while non-self-determined extrinsic motivation and amotivation negatively correlated.
• Highly self-determined elders exhibited lower depression, whereas non-self-determined elders showed higher depression. Depressive elders had significantly lower intrinsic and self-determined motivation.

Impact:

• Findings support the hypothesis that motivational styles are integral to adaptation, well-being, and depression in older adults.
• Self-determination theory offers valuable insights into aging research, particularly concerning the determinants of well-being in the elderly.
• This research underscores the importance of fostering self-determined motivation to enhance the mental health and quality of life for the aging population.