Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults Living Alone: An Educational Psychology Perspective On Self-Acceptance, Autonomy, And Lifelong Learning In Late Adulthood

Azam Syukur Rahamatullah; Fatchanainy Febrianto; Siti Baiatun; Marini; Muhammad Hisyam Syafii

doi:10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.5300

Azam Syukur Rahamatullah Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Fatchanainy Febrianto Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Indonesia
Siti Baiatun Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Indonesia
Marini Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Indonesia
Muhammad Hisyam Syafii National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63922/ijevss.v5i03.5300

Keywords: psychological well-being, older adults, living alone, phenomenology, spirituality

Abstract

This study examined the psychological well-being of older adults living alone in Puring Subdistrict, Kebumen Regency, Indonesia, with attention to their subjective experiences and the factors shaping their adaptation to solitude in later life. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with five widowed older women, aged 65 to 67, selected through purposive sampling based on their status of living entirely alone, without a spouse or co-residing children. Data were analyzed through phenomenological and eidetic reduction, following procedures for trustworthiness including credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability. Findings revealed that all participants initially experienced sadness, loneliness, and emptiness following the loss of a spouse or the departure of children, but gradually adapted through self-acceptance, positive thinking, meaningful daily activity, social relationships, and spirituality. Four key factors emerged as influential: emotional regulation, spirituality, social support, and environmental mastery, with spirituality and social support proving most dominant. These findings extend Ryff's psychological well-being framework by highlighting spirituality as a culturally significant dimension among older adults in religious, collectivistic communities. Implications are discussed for families, community-based elderly programs, and psychological practice, alongside recommendations for future longitudinal and more diverse research.

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