Skip to main content
Log in

Cultural Differences in Factors that Influence the Well-Being of Older People: A Narrative Review

  • Arena of Health
  • Published:
Human Arenas Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As people age, they undergo a multitude of physiological and psychological changes that might help or hinder their well-being. Some differences in the well-being of older adult population can be attributed to the cultures they reside in. Various beliefs, traditions and cultural practices all influence an individual’s well-being in direct and indirect ways. These factors can broadly be classified under social, emotional, personality, cognitive and other domains. This paper briefly reviews literature relevant to cross-cultural comparisons of these and other factors that impact the well-being of older adults. The approach taken was to focus on the research work of those prominent in this area of study and then branch out to other related studies in the associated domains. A brief discussion regarding the limitations of cross-cultural research with older people populations, rising trends as well as future directions is included at the end.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of Data and Materials

Not applicable.

References

  • Acock, A. C., & Hurlbert, J. S. (1993). Social networks, marital status, and well-being. Social Networks, 15(3), 309–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8733(93)90010-I

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adams, G., Anderson, S. L., & Adonu, J. K. (2004). The cultural grounding of closeness and intimacy. In Handbook of closeness and intimacy (pp. 331–350). Psychology Press.

  • Ajrouch, K. J., Antonucci, T. C., & Janevic, M. R. (2001). Social networks among blacks and whites: The interaction between race and age. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 56(2), S112–S118.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ajrouch, K. J., Fuller, H. R., Akiyama, H., & Antonucci, T. C. (2018). Convoys of social relations in cross-national context. The Gerontologist, 58(3), 488–499. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw204

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, C., Kraus, M. W., Galinsky, A. D., & Keltner, D. (2012). The local-ladder effect: Social status and subjective well-being. Psychological Science, 23(7), 764–771. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611434537

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Antonucci, T. C., Akiyama, H., & Lansford, J. E. (1998). Negative effects of close social relations. Family Relations, 379–384.

  • Antonucci, T. C., Lansford, J. E., Schaberg, L., Smith, J., Baltes, M., Akiyama, H., Takahashi, K., Fuhrer, R., & Dartigues, J. F. (2001). Widowhood and illness: A comparison of social network characteristics in France, Germany, Japan, and the United States. Psychology and Aging, 16(4), 655.

  • Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of General Psychology, 5(4), 323–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumeister, R. F., Tice, D. M., & Hutton, D. G. (1989). Self-presentational motivations and personality differences in self-esteem. Journal of Personality, 57(3), 547–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson, V. L., & Kuypers, J. A. (1971). Generational difference and the developmental stake. Aging and Human Development, 2(4), 249–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhome, R., Berry, A. J., Huntley, J. D., & Howard, R. J. (2018). Interventions for subjective cognitive decline: Systematic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal Open, 8(7), e021610. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-021610

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Birditt, K. S., & Antonucci, T. C. (2007). Relationship quality profiles and well-being among married adults. Journal of Family Psychology, 21(4), 595.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Birditt, K. S., & Fingerman, K. L. (2003). Age and gender differences in adults’ descriptions of emotional reactions to interpersonal problems. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 58(4), P237–P245. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/58.4.P237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boerner, K., Jopp, D. S., Carr, D., Sosinsky, L., & Kim, S. K. (2014). “His” and “Her” marriage? The role of positive and negative marital characteristics in global marital satisfaction among older adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 69(4), 579–589. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbu032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, C., Bei, B., Gilson, K. M., Komiti, A., Jackson, H., & Judd, F. (2016). Antecedents of attitudes to aging: A study of the roles of personality and well-being. The Gerontologist, 56(2), 256–265.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Byerly, V. M. (1986). Hard times cotton mill girls: Personal histories of womanhood and poverty in the South. Cornell University Press.

  • Campbell, J. D., Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., & Lehman, D. R. (1996). Self-concept clarity: Measurement, personality correlates, and cultural boundaries. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(1), 141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L. L., Isaacowitz, D. M., & Charles, S. T. (1999). Taking time seriously: A theory of socioemotional selectivity. American Psychologist, 54(3), 165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L. L., & Mikels, J. A. (2005). At the Intersection of emotion and cognition: Aging and the positivity effect. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(3), 117–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00348.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carver, C., & Scheier, M. (2002). Optimism. Teoksessa CR Snyder & SJ Lopez.

  • Chang, E. C., Sanna, L. J., & Yang, K.-M. (2003). Optimism, pessimism, affectivity, and psychological adjustment in US and Korea: A test of a mediation model. Personality and Individual Differences, 34(7), 1195–1208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charles, S. T., Mather, M., & Carstensen, L. L. (2003). Aging and emotional memory: The forgettable nature of negative images for older adults. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 132(2), 310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chee, M. W. L., Goh, J. O. S., Venkatraman, V., Tan, J. C., Gutchess, A., Sutton, B., Hebrank, A., Leshikar, E., & Park, D. (2006). Age-related changes in object processing and contextual binding revealed using fMR adaptation. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 18(4), 495–507. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2006.18.4.495

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chee, M. W. L., Zheng, H., Goh, J. O. S., Park, D., & Sutton, B. P. (2011). Brain structure in young and old East Asians and Westerners: Comparisons of structural volume and cortical thickness. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 23(5), 1065–1079.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X., Maguire, B., Brodaty, H., & O’Leary, F. (2019). Dietary patterns and cognitive health in older adults: A systematic review. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 67(2), 583–619. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-180468

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, S. T., Fung, H. H., & Chan, A. (2009). Self-perception and psychological well-being: The benefits of foreseeing a worse future. Psychology and Aging, 24(3), 623.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheung, F. M., Leung, K., Zhang, J. X., Sun, H. F., Gan, Y. Q., Song, W. Z., & Xie, D. (2001). Indigenous Chinese personality constructs: Is the five-factor model complete? Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 32(4), 407–433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chonody, J. M., & Teater, B. (2016). Why do I dread looking old?: A test of social identity theory, terror management theory, and the double standard of aging. Journal of Women & Aging, 28(2), 112–126.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comijs, H. C., Dik, M. G., Aartsen, M. J., Deeg, D. J., & Jonker, C. (2005). The impact of change in cognitive functioning and cognitive decline on disability, well-being, and the use of healthcare services in older persons. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 19(5–6), 316–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cool, L. M. (2001). The "scheming hag" and the "dear old thing": The anthropology of aging women.

  • Cooper, J. (2012). Cognitive dissonance theory. Handbook of Theories of Social Psychology, 1, 377–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deary, I. J., Corley, J., Gow, A. J., Harris, S. E., Houlihan, L. M., Marioni, R. E., Penke, L., Rafnsson, S. B., & Starr, J. M. (2009). Age-associated cognitive decline. British Medical Bulletin, 92(1), 135–152. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldp033

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Denny, A. (2008). An overview of the role of diet during the ageing process. British Journal of Community Nursing, 13(2), 58–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (2009). Assessing subjective well-being: Progress and opportunities. In E. Diener (Ed.), Assessing well-being: The collected works of Ed Diener (pp. 25–65). Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2354-4_3

  • Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Smith, H., & Shao, L. (1995). National differences in reported subjective well-being: Why do they occur? Social Indicators Research, 34(1), 7–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, M. L., & Diener McGavran, M. B. (2008). What makes people happy?: A developmental approach to the literature on family relationships and well-being. In The science of subjective well-being (pp. 347–375). Guilford Press.

  • Engelen, L., Rahmann, M., & de Jong, E. (2022). Design for healthy ageing – The relationship between design, well-being, and quality of life: A review. Building Research & Information, 50(1–2), 19–35. https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2021.1984867

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Facchinetti, G., Petrucci, G., Albanesi, B., De Marinis, M. G., & Piredda, M. (2023). Can smart home technologies help older adults manage their chronic condition? A systematic literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20021205

  • Falzarano, F., Moxley, J., Pillemer, K., & Czaja, S. J. (2022). Family matters: Cross-cultural differences in familism and caregiving outcomes. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 77(7), 1269–1279. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbab160

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrand, C., Martinent, G., & Durmaz, N. (2014). Psychological need satisfaction and well-being in adults aged 80 years and older living in residential homes: Using a self-determination theory perspective. Journal of Aging Studies, 30, 104–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaging.2014.04.004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiori, K. L., Antonucci, T. C., & Akiyama, H. (2008). Profiles of social relations among older adults: A cross-cultural approach. Ageing & Society, 28(2), 203–231. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X07006472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L., & Carstensen, L. L. (1990). Choosing social partners: How old age and anticipated endings make people more selective. Psychology and Aging, 5(3), 335.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H. (2013). Aging in culture. The Gerontologist, 53(3), 369–377. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnt024

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., Carstensen, L. L., & Lang, F. R. (2001). Age-related patterns in social networks among European Americans and African Americans: Implications for socioemotional selectivity across the life span. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 52(3), 185–206.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., Carstensen, L. L., & Lutz, A. M. (1999). Influence of time on social preferences: Implications for life-span development. Psychology and Aging, 14(4), 595.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., Ho, Y. W., Tam, K. P., Tsai, J., & Zhang, X. (2011). Values moderate age differences in relationship orientation. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(7), 994–999.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., Isaacowitz, D. M., Lu, A. Y., & Li, T. (2010). Interdependent self-construal moderates the age-related negativity reduction effect in memory and visual attention. Psychology and Aging, 25(2), 321.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., Isaacowitz, D. M., Lu, A. Y., Wadlinger, H. A., Goren, D., & Wilson, H. R. (2008). Age-related positivity enhancement is not universal: Older Chinese look away from positive stimuli. Psychology and Aging, 23(2), 440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., & Jiang, D. (2016). Chapter 17—Cross-cultural psychology of aging. In K. W. Schaie & S. L. Willis (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging (Eighth Edition) (pp. 323–337). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-411469-2.00017-0

  • Fung, H. H., & Ng, S. K. (2006). Age differences in the sixth personality factor: Age differences in interpersonal relatedness among Canadians and Hong Kong Chinese. Psychology and Aging, 21(4), 810.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., & Tang, L. Y. (2005). Age differences in memory for emotional messages: Do older people always remember the positive? Ageing International, 30(3), 245–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fung, H. H., Yeung, D. Y., Li, K. K., & Lang, F. R. (2009). Benefits of negative social exchanges for emotional closeness. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64(5), 612–621.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, S., Dupre, K., & Bosman, C. (2021). Understanding the neighbourhood environment and the health and wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants: A systematic literature review. Ageing & Society, 41(4), 815–835. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X1900134X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, L. K. (1978). The impact of personality and social status factors upon levels of activity and psychological well-being. Journal of Gerontology, 33(6), 840–847. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronj/33.6.840

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ginter, E., & Simko, V. (2013). Women live longer than men. Bratislavske Lekarske Listy, 114(2), 45–49.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goh, J. O., Chee, M. W., Tan, J. C., Venkatraman, V., Hebrank, A., Leshikar, E. D., Jenkins, L., Sutton, B. P., Gutchess, A. H., & Park, D. C. (2007). Age and culture modulate object processing and object—Scene binding in the ventral visual area. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 7(1), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.3758/CABN.7.1.44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, M. C., & Beall, C. M. (1981). Modernization and aging in the third and fourth world: Views from the rural hinterland in Nepal. Human Organization, 48–55.

  • Govindaraju, T., Owen, A. J., & McCaffrey, T. A. (2022). Past, present and future influences of diet among older adults – A scoping review. Ageing Research Reviews, 77, 101600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101600

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., & Pyszczynski, T. (1997). Terror management theory of self-esteem and cultural worldviews: Empirical assessments and conceptual refinements. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 29, pp. 61–139). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60016-7

  • Gürel, N. A. (2009). Effects of thinking styles and gender on psychological well-being.

  • Gutchess, A. H., Welsh, R. C., Boduroĝlu, A., & Park, D. C. (2006). Cultural differences in neural function associated with object processing. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience, 6(2), 102–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halperin, R. (1984). Age in cultural economics: An evolutionary approach. Age and Anthropological Theory, 159–194.

  • Hedden, T., Park, D. C., Nisbett, R., Ji, L. J., Jing, Q., & Jiao, S. (2002). Cultural variation in verbal versus spatial neuropsychological function across the life span. Neuropsychology, 16(1), 65.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heine, S. J., Lehman, D. R., Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1999). Is there a universal need for positive self-regard? Psychological Review, 106(4), 766.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, Y., Fung, H., & Tam, K. (2007). Congruency of actual selfimportance and perceived cultural importance of values. Q. Kennedy & H. H. Fung (chairs), American-Chinese differences in socioemotional aspects of aging. San Francisco, CA: Symposium conducted at 115th convention of American Psychological Association.

  • Hülür, G., & Macdonald, B. (2020). Rethinking social relationships in old age: Digitalization and the social lives of older adults. American Psychologist, 75, 554–566. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000604

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ibarra, F., Baez, M., Cernuzzi, L., & Casati, F. (2020). A Systematic review on technology-supported interventions to improve old-age social wellbeing: Loneliness, social isolation, and connectedness. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2020, e2036842. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/2036842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Isaacowitz, D. M., Wadlinger, H. A., Goren, D., & Wilson, H. R. (2006a). Is there an age-related positivity effect in visual attention? A comparison of two methodologies. Emotion, 6(3), 511.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Isaacowitz, D. M., Wadlinger, H. A., Goren, D., & Wilson, H. R. (2006b). Selective preference in visual fixation away from negative images in old age? An eye-tracking study. Psychology and Aging, 21(1), 40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Izuhara, M. (2004). Negotiating family support? The ‘generational contract’ between long-term care and inheritance. Journal of Social Policy, 33(4), 649–665.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, L. J., Yang, Y. J., Goh, J., Hong, Y. Y., & Park, D. C. (2010). Cultural differences in the lateral occipital complex while viewing incongruent scenes. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 5(2–3), 236–241. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsp056

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kang, H., & Kim, H. (2022). Ageism and psychological well-being among older adults: A systematic review. Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, 8, 23337214221087024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karasawa, M., Curhan, K. B., Markus, H. R., Kitayama, S. S., Love, G. D., Radler, B. T., & Ryff, C. D. (2011). Cultural perspectives on aging and well-being: A comparison of Japan and the U.S. International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 73(1), 73–98.

  • Kenyon, C. J. (2010). The genetics of ageing. Nature, 464(7288), 504–512. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature08980

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khodabakhsh, S. (2022). Factors affecting life satisfaction of older adults in Asia: A systematic review. Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(3), 1289–1304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00433-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiecolt-Glaser, J. K., & Newton, T. L. (2001). Marriage and health: His and hers. Psychological Bulletin, 127(4), 472.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kitayama, S., & Karasawa, M. (1995). Self: A cultural psychological perspective. The Japanese Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 35(2), 133–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitzmüller, G., Clancy, A., Vaismoradi, M., Wegener, C., & Bondas, T. (2018). “Trapped in an empty waiting room”—The existential human core of loneliness in old age: A meta-synthesis. Qualitative Health Research, 28(2), 213–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732317735079

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kwan, V. S., Bond, M. H., & Singelis, T. M. (1997). Pancultural explanations for life satisfaction: Adding relationship harmony to self-esteem. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 73(5), 1038.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lansford, J. E. (2004). Links between family relationships and best friendships in the United States and Japan. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 59(4), 287–304.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lansford, J. E., Antonucci, T. C., Akiyama, H., & Takahashi, K. (2005). A quantitative and qualitative approach to social relationships and well-being in the United States and Japan. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 36(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.3138/jcfs.36.1.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leary, M. R. (2012). Sociometer theory. In Handbook of theories of social psychology, Vol. 2 (pp. 151–159). Sage Publications Ltd. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446249222.n33

  • Lee, Y. T., & Seligman, M. E. (1997). Are Americans more optimistic than the Chinese? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23(1), 32–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lennings, C. J. (2000). Optimism, satisfaction and time perspective in the elderly. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 51(3), 167–181. https://doi.org/10.2190/06GK-WHER-37XC-BTRY

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, B. (2009). Stereotype embodiment: A psychosocial approach to aging. Current Directions in Psychological Science. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8721.2009.01662.x

  • Levy, B. R., & Myers, L. M. (2004). Preventive health behaviors influenced by self-perceptions of aging. Preventive Medicine, 39(3), 625–629.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, B. R., Pilver, C., Chung, P. H., & Slade, M. D. (2014). Subliminal strengthening: Improving older individuals’ physical function over time with an implicit-age-stereotype intervention. Psychological Science, 25(12), 2127–2135. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614551970

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S. V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(2), 261.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li, J., Zhou, X., & Wang, Q. (2023). Interventions to reduce loneliness among Chinese older adults: A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 15(1), 238–258. https://doi.org/10.1111/aphw.12375

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li, T., & Fung, H. H. (2013). Age differences in trust: An investigation across 38 countries. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 68(3), 347–355. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbs072

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Löckenhoff, C. E., De Fruyt, F., Terracciano, A., McCrae, R. R., De Bolle, M., Costa, P. T., Aguilar-Vafaie, M. E., Ahn, C., Ahn, H., Alcalay, L., Allik, J., Avdeyeva, T., & V., Barbaranelli, C., Benet-Martinez, V., Blatný, M., Bratko, D., Brunner-Sciarra, M., Cain, T. R., Crawford, J. T., & Yik, M. (2009). Perceptions of aging across 26 cultures and their culture-level associates. Psychology and Aging, 24(4), 941–954. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016901

  • Maheswari, R., & Maheswari, K. (2022). Assessment of attitude towards ageing and well-being of community dwelling older persons. Journal of Positive School Psychology, 4412–4417.

  • Malatyali, A., Gordon, S., Morris, J., Wiese, L., & Williams, C. (2020). The influence of mental, physical, and social activity on episodic memory of Americans aged 50 and older. Innovation in Aging, 4(Supplement_1), 894–895.

  • Margelisch, K., Schneewind, K. A., Violette, J., & Perrig-Chiello, P. (2017). Marital stability, satisfaction and well-being in old age: Variability and continuity in long-term continuously married older persons. Aging & Mental Health, 21(4), 389–398. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2015.1102197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98(2), 224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mather, M., & Knight, M. (2005). Goal-directed memory: The role of cognitive control in older adults’ emotional memory. Psychology and Aging, 20(4), 554.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McArthur, D., Dumas, A., Woodend, K., Beach, S., & Stacey, D. (2014). Factors influencing adherence to regular exercise in middle-aged women: A qualitative study to inform clinical practice. BMC Women’s Health, 14(1), 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCrae, R. R., Costa, P. T., de Lima, M. P., Simões, A., Ostendorf, F., Angleitner, A., Marušić, I., Bratko, D., Caprara, G. V., Barbaranelli, C., Chae, J. H., & Piedmont, R. L. (1999). Age differences in personality across the adult life span: Parallels in five cultures. Developmental Psychology, 35(2), 466–477. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.35.2.466

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McFadden, S. H. (2022). Pandemic disruptions of older adults’ meaningful connections: Linking spirituality and religion to suffering and resilience. Religions, 13(7), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13070622

  • Melzer, D., Pilling, L. C., & Ferrucci, L. (2020). The genetics of human ageing. Nature Reviews Genetics, 21(2), 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-019-0183-6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, K., Hughes, C. F., Ward, M., Hoey, L., & McNulty, H. (2018). Diet, nutrition and the ageing brain: Current evidence and new directions. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 77(2), 152–163.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, A., & Janeke, H. C. (2009). The relationship between thinking styles and emotional intelligence: An exploratory study. South African Journal of Psychology, 39(3), 357–375. https://doi.org/10.10520/EJC98541

  • Nelson, T. D. (2005). Ageism: Prejudice against our feared future self. Journal of Social Issues, 61(2), 207–221. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.2005.00402.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng, S. H. (2002). Will families support their elders? Answers from across cultures.

  • Nimrod, G., Janke, M. C., & Kleiber, D. A. (2008). Retirement, activity, and subjective well-being in Israel and the Unites States. World Leisure Journal, 50(1), 18–32. https://doi.org/10.1080/04419057.2008.9674524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nisbett, R. E., & Masuda, T. (2003). Culture and point of view. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 100(19), 11163–11170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • North, M. S., & Fiske, S. T. (2015). Modern attitudes toward older adults in the aging world: A cross-cultural meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 141(5), 993.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oishi, S. (2010). Culture and well-being: Conceptual and methodological issues. In International differences in well-being (pp. 34–69). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199732739.003.0003

  • Okabayashi, H., Liang, J., Krause, N., Akiyama, H., & Sugisawa, H. (2004). Mental health among older adults in Japan: Do sources of social support and negative interaction make a difference? Social Science & Medicine, 59(11), 2259–2270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyserman, D., Coon, H. M., & Kemmelmeier, M. (2002). Rethinking individualism and collectivism: Evaluation of theoretical assumptions and meta-analyses. Psychological Bulletin, 128(1), 3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Özdemir, A. A., Kavak Buda, F., Dural, G., & Gültekin, A. (2022). The relationship between spiritual well-being, life satisfaction and hope in elderly individuals in Turkey. Journal of Religion and Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-022-01517-5

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Papadopoulos, D. (2020). The role of well-being, spirituality, and religiosity for successful aging in late life: A brief review. Advances in Aging Research, 9(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.4236/aar.2020.92003

  • Park, D. C., Nisbett, R., & Hedden, T. (1999). Aging, culture, and cognition. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 54(2), P75–P84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pethtel, O., & Chen, Y. (2010). Cross-cultural aging in cognitive and affective components of subjective well-being. Psychology and Aging, 25(3), 725–729. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018511

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pramod, D. (2023). Assistive technology for elderly people: State of the art review and future research agenda. Science & Technology Libraries, 42(1), 85–118. https://doi.org/10.1080/0194262X.2021.2024481

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pugliesi, K., & Shook, S. L. (1998). Gender, ethnicity, and network characteristics: Variation in social support resources. Sex Roles, 38(3), 215–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., & Solomon, S. (1999). A dual-process model of defense against conscious and unconscious death-related thoughts: An extension of terror management theory. Psychological Review, 106(4), 835–845. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.106.4.835

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, V. M., & Striano, T. (2007). The directed attention model of infant social cognition. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 4(1), 100–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405620601005648

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, D. A., & Kenny, R. A. (2016a). “I’m too old for that”—The association between negative perceptions of aging and disengagement in later life. Personality and Individual Differences, 100, 114–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.03.096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, D. A., & Kenny, R. A. (2016b). Negative perceptions of aging modify the association between frailty and cognitive function in older adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 100, 120–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.12.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, D. A., King-Kallimanis, B. L., & Kenny, R. A. (2016). Negative perceptions of aging predict longitudinal decline in cognitive function. Psychology and Aging, 31, 71–81. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000061

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, D. A., Savva, G. M., King-Kallimanis, B. L., & Kenny, R. A. (2015). Negative perceptions of aging and decline in walking speed: A self-fulfilling prophecy. PLoS ONE, 10(4), e0123260. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0123260

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, D. A., & Weiss, D. (2017). In the eye of the beholder: Can counter-stereotypes change perceptions of older adults’ social status? Psychology and Aging, 32, 531–542. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000186

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rook, K. S. (1984). The negative side of social interaction: Impact on psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 46(5), 1097.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rothbaum, F., Pott, M., Azuma, H., Miyake, K., & Weisz, J. (2000). The development of close relationships in Japan and the United States: Paths of symbiotic harmony and generative tension. Child Development, 71(5), 1121–1142.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ruengtam, P. (2023). The factors of environmental living design for elderly well-being in Thai Spiritual environments. In M. Casini (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2nd International Civil Engineering and Architecture Conference (pp. 409–418). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-4293-8_43

  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141–166. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.141

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C. D., & Keyes, C. L. M. (1995). The structure of psychological well-being revisited. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(4), 719.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. H. (2008). Cultural value orientations: Nature and implications of national differences. Publishing House of SU HSE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoglio, A. A., Reilly, E. D., Gorman, J. A., & Drebing, C. E. (2019). Use of social robots in mental health and well-being research: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(7), e13322. https://doi.org/10.2196/13322

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, K., Prybutok, G., & Prybutok, V. (2022). The use of digital technology for social wellbeing reduces social isolation in older adults: A systematic review. SSM - Population Health, 17, 101020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.101020

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shumaker, S. A., & Hill, D. R. (1991). Gender differences in social support and physical health. Health Psychology, 10(2), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.10.2.102

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sinnott, J. D., & Shifren, K. (2001). Gender and aging: Gender differences and gender roles. In Handbook of the psychology of aging, 5th ed (pp. 454–476). Academic Press.

  • Sokolovsky, J., & Vesperi, M. D. (1991). The cultural context of well-being in old age. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 15(1), 21–24.

  • Solomon, S., Greenberg, J., & Pyszczynski, T. (1991). A terror management theory of social behavior: The psychological functions of self-esteem and cultural worldviews. In M. P. Zanna (Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 24, pp. 93–159). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2601(08)60328-7

  • Sugisawa, H., Shibata, H., Hougham, G. W., Sugihara, Y., & Liang, J. (2002). The impact of social ties on depressive symptoms in US and Japanese elderly. Journal of Social Issues, 58(4), 785–804.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takagi, E., Saito, Y., & Chan, A. (2020). Gender differences in the association between social relationships and loneliness among older adults in Singapore. Journal of Population Research, 37(3), 243–263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12546-020-09242-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, K., Ohara, N., Antonucci, T. C., & Akiyama, H. (2002). Commonalities and differences in close relationships among the Americans and Japanese: A comparison by the individualism/collectivism concept. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 26(5), 453–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, K., Tamura, J., & Tokoro, M. (1997). Patterns of social relationships and psychological well-being among the elderly. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 21(3), 417–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/016502597384721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, S. E., Welch, W. T., Kim, H. S., & Sherman, D. K. (2007). Cultural differences in the impact of social support on psychological and biological stress responses. Psychological Science, 18(9), 831–837. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01987.x

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, P. A., Liu, H., & Umberson, D. (2017). Family relationships and well-being. Innovation in Aging, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igx025

  • Tibiriçá, L., Jester, D. J., & Jeste, D. V. (2022). A systematic review of loneliness and social isolation among Hispanic/Latinx older adults in the United States. Psychiatry Research, 313, 114568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114568

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trapsinsaree, D., Pothiban, L., Chintanawat, R., & Wonghongkul, T. (2022). Factors predicting spiritual well-being among dependent older people. Trends in Sciences, 19(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2022.1718

  • Triandis, H. C. (2001). Individualism-collectivism and personality. Journal of Personality, 69(6), 907–924.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Osch, Y. M., Breugelmans, S. M., Zeelenberg, M., & Fontaine, J. (2013). The meaning of pride across cultures. Components of Emotional Meaning: A Sourcebook, 377–387.

  • Vanhove-Meriaux, C., Martinent, G., & Ferrand, C. (2018). Profiles of needs satisfaction and thwarting in older people living at home: Relationships with well-being and ill-being indicators. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 18(3), 470–478. https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vauclair, C., Hanke, K., Huang, L., & Abrams, D. (2017). Are Asian cultures really less ageist than Western ones? It depends on the questions asked. International Journal of Psychology, 52(2), 136–144. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12292

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walker-Clarke, A., Walasek, L., & Meyer, C. (2022). Psychosocial factors influencing the eating behaviours of older adults: A systematic review. Ageing Research Reviews, 77, 101597. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2022.101597

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, R. S., Boyle, P. A., Segawa, E., Yu, L., Begeny, C. T., Anagnos, S. E., & Bennett, D. A. (2013). The influence of cognitive decline on well-being in old age. Psychology and Aging, 28(2), 304.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Yeung, D. Y., Fung, H. H., & Lang, F. R. (2008). Self-construal moderates age differences in social network characteristics. Psychology and Aging, 23(1), 222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, C., Feinberg, F., & Gutchess, A. H. (2006). Pictorial naming specificity across ages and cultures: A latent class analysis of picture norms for younger and older Americans and Chinese. Gerontology, 52(5), 295–305.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon, E., Hacker, J., Hewitt, A., Abrams, M., & Cleary, S. (2012). Social connectedness, discrimination, and social status as mediators of acculturation/enculturation and well-being. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59, 86–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025366

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • You, J., Fung, H. H., & Isaacowitz, D. M. (2009). Age differences in dispositional optimism: A cross-cultural study. European Journal of Ageing, 6(4), 247.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zarulli, V., Jones, J. A. B., Oksuzyan, A., Lindahl-Jacobsen, R., Christensen, K., & Vaupel, J. W. (2018). Women live longer than men even during severe famines and epidemics. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(4), E832–E840.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, L. F. (2008). Thinking styles and emotions. The Journal of Psychology, 142(5), 497–516. https://doi.org/10.3200/JRLP.142.5.497-516

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Yeung, D. Y., Fung, H. H., & Lang, F. R. (2011). Changes in peripheral social partners and loneliness over time: The moderating role of interdependence. Psychology and Aging, 26(4), 823.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Both the first and second authors contributed in conceptualizing and writing the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dilwar Hussain.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dmello, V., Hussain, D. Cultural Differences in Factors that Influence the Well-Being of Older People: A Narrative Review. Hu Arenas (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-023-00386-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42087-023-00386-y

Keywords

Navigation