Abstract
Numerous studies confirm the positive relationship between the sense of quality of life in older adults and their social networks. In this context, there is a gap in research regarding the role of psychological functions, such as mentalization and emotion regulation, in relationship-building during late adulthood. Few studies consider these within the context of existing social networks. A study was designed to analyze the relationships between the structure and function of older adults’ social networks, their mentalization and emotion regulation levels, and their sense of quality of life. The aim was to fill a gap in the existing literature while also assessing whether mentalization serves as a protective factor in late adulthood. The study framework was developmental psychology. Using a quantitative methodology, the research employed questionnaire-based tools to measure quality of life, social networks, hypomentalization, and difficulties in emotion regulation. Data were collected through individual contact with participants, either at senior day care centers or in their own residences, and statistical analyses were performed after data transfer. One of the limitations of the study is the reliance on self-reported data. A statistically significant interaction effect was found, indicating a positive relationship between the level of social networks and the level of hypomentalization at low levels of emotion regulation difficulties, and a negative relationship at high levels. These findings suggest that emotion regulation difficulties moderate the relationship between the level of social network and mentalization, which reveals important implications for improving the well-being of older adults.
Presenters
Ewelina LapinskaStudent, PhD Candidate, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Psychology, Mazowieckie, Poland Natalia Dudek
PhD student, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Poland Agnieszka Sternak
PhD, Lecturer, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Poland Anna Cierpka
Professor (associate), Department of Psychology, University of Warsaw, Poland
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
LATE ADULTHOOD, QUALITY OF LIFE, SOCIAL NETWORKS, MENTALIZATION
