Meaning in Life and Mental Health of Older Adults in Different Living Arrangements

Meaning in life is considered to be an important factor in functioning optimally and for leading a happy life. It is also associated with reduced risk of geriatric depression and despair in later years. The present study aims to understand the relationship between meaning in life and mental health among urban Indian older adults, and to further explore the differences related to gender and living arrangements on meaning in life and mental health of older adults. A total sample of 164 urban older adults (92 males and 72 females) from two different living arrangements, those living alone (Group 1 = 60) and those living with adult married children (Group 2 = 104) were assessed on meaning in life and mental health. The study found that search for meaning in life was higher among urban older adults. Participants had a flourishing mental health, and higher search for meaning was positively correlated with better mental health. Males had higher need to search for newer meaning in their life than urban female older adults. Older adults who were living alone had higher need to search and were looking for something higher in life. However, living arrangement did not have any significant difference on mental health of urban older adults.