Influences on Psychological Well-Being and Ill-Being in Older Women

Objectives: To examine factors contributing to psychological well-being and ill-being in older Australian women. Methods: A multi-variable model examining personality traits, life events, medical diagnoses, and cognitive appraisal was tested on 296 women (mean age = 69.13, standard deviation = 10.20) from the Longitudinal Assessment of Women Study using a cross-sectional design. Results: Neuroticism, optimism, and extraversion were associated with both well-being and ill-being, but these relationships were partially mediated by cognitive appraisal. The relationship between number of life events and ill-being was fully mediated by cognitive appraisal, while the relationship between number of life events and well-being was partially mediated by cognitive appraisal. The number of medical diagnoses directly predicted well-being. Conclusions: The supported model suggests that individual and public-health interventions targeting personality traits, cognitive appraisal, and life events might have potential to improve well-being and reduce ill-being as individuals age.