Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the perceptions and experiences of aging among individuals over 60 years old, identifying motivational and contextual sources that influence their life experiences and quality of life. The theoretical framework is grounded in Jacob Levy Moreno’s psychodramatic theory, which understands aging through the dynamics of social roles and creative spontaneity, combined with the assumptions of Positive Psychology (Seligman, Fredrickson, Yunes), which highlight the role of positive emotions, virtues, and bonds in the construction of subjective well-being. The methodology was qualitative in nature, based on semi-structured interviews conducted with nine elderly participants from a Social Center in the interior of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The results revealed life paths marked by early work, affective bonds, significant losses, faith, and resilience strategies. The analytical categories emphasized the centrality of positive emotions, life purpose, interpersonal relationships, and religiosity as protective factors for mental health in old age. The articulation with EMVIVER and SF-12 data reinforced the qualitative findings. The research highlights the importance of understanding aging in a singular and contextualized way, valuing the voices and memories of older adults. As an implication, the need for public policies and care practices that consider the psychosocial aspects of aging is emphasized. The originality of the study lies in the sensitive and in-depth listening of non-institutionalized elderly individuals, valuing their narratives as expressions of protagonism, resilience, and vitality.
Institution: Centro Universitário de Minas Gerais - UniMG
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7123359218