Regret Experiences and Coping in Old Age? A Case of Indian Older Adults

This study aimed to understand regret from the perspective of Indian older adults. It specifically examined what they regretted and how they coped with their regrets. The study followed the interview method, where biographical accounts of participants' lives were collected. Sixty older adults (30 males and 30 females; M_age= 67.5) participated in the study. The analysis of the 157 major regret incidents narrated by participants showed that two-thirds of regrets in old age stemmed from their inactions, while one-third resulted from their actions. Results showed that Indian older adults most frequently regretted their careers, relationships, education, health, marriage, parenting, and financial matters. Although males and females reported similar levels of regret, the sources of regret differed. The study further revealed that while these life regrets never disappeared, whenever they resurfaced, older adults employed various strategies to cope with their life regrets, such as reappraisal, downward comparison, and justification/rationalization. The results and implications of the study are discussed.