Examination of a theoretical model of psychological resilience in older age

Exploring what might form the basis of resilience from a psychological perspective enables a deeper understanding of why some individuals can remain positive in difficult circumstances, particularly some of the challenges of ageing.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This article integrates a number of theoretical perspectives and examines the concept of psychological resilience in older age. Drawing on the literature it is hypothesised that an overarching construct-resilience-accounts for the functioning of a number of psychological resources (self-esteem, personal competence and control). METHOD: The factorial validity of the resources as indicators of resilience is tested using confirmatory factor analysis. The analyses focus on previously unexplored survey data drawn from a representative sample of people aged between 50 and 90 in England, Wales and Scotland (N=1847). RESULTS: The results find a common factor (a higher-order model) provides the best explanation of the relationships between the resources, demonstrating an important first account for developing further work on this concept. CONCLUSION: Exploring what might form the basis of resilience from a psychological perspective enables a deeper understanding of why some individuals can remain positive in difficult circumstances, particularly some of the challenges of ageing.