March 14, 2017

In their article, Effects of Good Life Program on Singaporean Older Adults’ Psychological Well-Being (published in Activities, Adaptation & Aging in 2008), Dr Kalyani Mehta (former faculty member at the Department of Social Work) and Mr Joey Cheang Ching Ee (Marine Parade Family Service Centre) explain that population ageing is a demographic trend and a growing concern in Singapore. Through a qualitative approach, the article explores the psychological well-being of 12 ambulant adults (60 years and older) participating in a senior centre program known as the ‘Good Life Program’. Their comparative study on regular and new members has yielded findings in line with Activity theory and Ryff’s psychological well-being model. Activity theory states that the ageing process is successful if the older people remain socially active and maintain social interactions. Regular members are reported to have an improvement in psychological well-being after their participation in the programme as compared to newer members. With the increase in life expectancy and better health condition of our older adults, future research on their well-being in the local context is encouraged so that they can be better integrated into our society.

Read the full article here.