The relationship between psychological resilience and well-being among older adults

Psychological resilience, the capacity to adapt positively in the face of adversity, has emerged as a key internal resource that may buffer older adults against stressors such as chronic illness, functional decline, bereavement, and social isolation. As populations age globally, understanding the role of resilience in sustaining quality of life becomes increasingly important for individuals, families, and healthcare systems.

To examine the association between psychological resilience and well-being among older adults.

Using a cross-sectional design, a convenience sample of 196 volunteer older adults (≥ 65 years) was recruited from a university hospital setting, with data collected via face-to-face interviews to ensure clinical and cognitive suitability. Data were collected using the demographic characteristics form, the "Resilience Evaluation Scale," and "World Health Organization Well-Being Index".

The mean age of older adults was 68.07 ± 2.71. The average scores for "psychological resilience" and "well-being" were 22.47 ± 7.45 and 10.35 ± 6.39. The findings indicated a significant positive correlation between psychological resilience and overall well-being. While a significant difference was observed in resilience and well-being scores according to variables such as gender, educational status, having a chronic disease and having a relative who is a healthcare worker (P < 0.001), no significant difference was found in terms of other variables (P > 0.05).

Adults aged 65 and above in this study demonstrated a moderate level of resilience and lower well-being scores. Higher resilience scores were significantly correlated with increased subjective well-being. These results suggest that resilience acts as a vital internal resource that relates to mental health outcomes in the aging population, highlighting the potential for interventions focused on enhancing psychological strengths.