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Achievement motivation, achieving styles, and morale in the elderly
A H Die1, W C Seelbach, G D Sherman
1Department of Psychology, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
Psychology and Aging
|December 1, 1987
Summary
Psychological factors like achievement motivation and achieving styles significantly predict older adults' morale. Direct and instrumental achieving styles were the strongest predictors, with instrumental styles and age inversely related to morale.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Traditionally, demographic, physical, and social factors are studied for their impact on older adult morale.
- The role of psychological variables, specifically achievement motivation and achieving styles, remains less explored in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive power of psychological variables, namely achievement motivation and achieving styles, on the morale of older adults.
- To extend existing literature by incorporating psychological factors alongside traditional demographic, physical, and social predictors of morale.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 115 older adults participated in the study.
- Participants completed the Work and Family Orientation Questionnaire, the L-BLA Achieving Styles Inventory, and the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale.
- Regression analysis was employed to identify predictive variables.
Main Results:
- Five variables significantly predicted morale: direct achieving style, instrumental achieving style, health, social participation, and age.
- Direct and instrumental achieving styles emerged as the most potent predictors of morale.
- Instrumental achieving style and age showed an inverse relationship with morale.
Conclusions:
- Achievement motivation and achieving styles are crucial psychological factors influencing older adult morale.
- The direct and instrumental achieving styles are key psychological determinants of morale in older adults.
- While age and instrumental achieving style negatively correlate with morale, understanding these psychological dimensions offers new avenues for interventions.