Self-determination buffers the association between negative motivations for solitude and maladjustment among older adults

Contrary to loneliness and isolation, alone time that is chosen and intrinsically motivated has been correlated with well-being. This study investigated whether self-determined solitude was a useful predictor of well-being in older adults, building upon research with younger populations. A sample of 689 older adults (Mage = 77.64) completed a survey that assessed self-determined and not self-determined motivations for solitude (SDS and NSDS) and four outcomes: life satisfaction, loneliness, psychological distress, and psychological well-being. Multiple regression analyses revealed that greater SDS was positively related to life satisfaction and psycho-logical well-being and showed no relationship with loneliness or distress. In contrast, greater NSDS was posi-tively associated with psychological maladjustment and negatively related with well-being indicators. The relationships between NSDS and maladjustment were attenuated by higher levels of SDS. These findings un-derscore the developmental importance of solitude, showing that older adults experience increased well-being when their alone time is self-determined, and further suggest that the ability to spend time alone in enjoyable and meaningful ways buffers some of the detrimental effects of negative solitude.