Explaining psychological wellbeing in old age: Do gender and perceived social support matter?

Abstract

We examined gender and perceived social support influences on the psychological wellbeing dimensions in older persons. Respondents comprised 242 (Male = 122, Female = 120, Mean age – 60.56, SD – 8.18) older persons selected from rural communities in South West Nigeria. Respondents were administered standardized scales that measured perceived social support (Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, & Farley, 1988) and psychological wellbeing (Ryff, 1989) in structured questionnaire format. Data were analyzed to predict the influence of perceived social support on psychological wellbeing dimensions. Results showed that perceived social support was significant for personal growth F (1, 238) = 5.758, p = 0.017, partial ƞ2 = 0.024, and positive relations F (1, 238) = 4.114, p = 0.044, partial ƞ2 = 0.017 dimensions. In addition, significant interaction effect was reported for gender and perceived social support on purpose in life F (1, 238) = 8.022, p = 0.005, partial ƞ2 = 0.033. The study concluded that perceived social support and gender influenced psychological wellbeing in older persons.  Recommendation included broadening of access to social support networks in order to foster personal growth, positive relations and sense of purpose in life for the aged in the society.