Self-Determination Structure in Aging: From Theory to Practice

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1865_CBP14.31

Authors: Olga Y. Strizhitskaya, Elena P. Davedyuk

Abstract:

In modern society aging becomes a challenge for scientists and researchers from all scientific domains. Modern psychological aging paradigm, proposed by P. Baltes and developed by researchers all over the world propose, that older adults and aging people have strong intrinsic potentials and resources that occur in all possible mental domains – from health to cognitive, personality and social abilities. Still the mechanisms that provide such potentials stay uncovered. Present study approaches this issue from the position of self-determination theory. We studied 80 older adults aged 55-78, in terms of three self-determination domains: competence, autonomy and relatedness. To estimate impact of those domains on quality of life we measured Life satisfaction index and Health. Results showed that though to some extent every domain impacts quality of life measures, still self-determination structure needs further investigation and widening of the parameters, included in the analysis.

Keywords: self-determination, aging, lifespan development, competence, autonomy, relatedness, life satisfaction.