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Perceived Quality of Life, Well-Being, and Curiosity of Older Adults

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  • Menucha Birenbaum

    (School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel)

  • Fadia Nasser-Abu Alhija

    (School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel)

  • Hany Shilton

    (Education, The Open University, Ra’anana 4353701, Israel)

  • Helena Kimron

    (Avney Rosha Institute for School Leadership, Ramle 7210102, Israel)

  • Rovena Rosanski

    (Levinsky College of Education, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6129600, Israel)

Abstract

The study examined the relationships between the perceived quality of life (QoL), well-being (WB), and curiosity of older adults. A convenience sample of 199 subjects answered the CASP12 questionnaire (measuring QoL), the 5-DCR scale (measuring curiosity), and a brief demographic questionnaire (referring to gender, age, marital status, and continued interest in the profession). The qualitative layer consisted of twenty in-depth, semi-structured interviews with curious older adults. Findings of the quantitative layer pointed to an substantial association between curiosity and QoL, underscoring the direct and indirect (through curiosity) effects of the demographic factors on QoL, particularly curiosity’s mediating effect on the relationships between continued interest in the profession and QoL. The impact of curiosity, love of learning, and personal attributes on WB were highlighted in the qualitative layer. Implications for cultivating a growth mindset focusing on curiosity across the lifespan and publicizing their role in fostering adaptive aging were discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Menucha Birenbaum & Fadia Nasser-Abu Alhija & Hany Shilton & Helena Kimron & Rovena Rosanski, 2025. "Perceived Quality of Life, Well-Being, and Curiosity of Older Adults," Societies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:15:y:2025:i:8:p:224-:d:1724419
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. R. Wiggins & G. Netuveli & M. Hyde & P. Higgs & D. Blane, 2008. "The Evaluation of a Self-enumerated Scale of Quality of Life (CASP-19) in the Context of Research on Ageing: A Combination of Exploratory and Confirmatory Approaches," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 89(1), pages 61-77, October.
    2. Doris Baumann & Willibald Ruch & Katja Margelisch & Fabian Gander & Lisa Wagner, 2020. "Character Strengths and Life Satisfaction in Later Life: an Analysis of Different Living Conditions," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(2), pages 329-347, April.
    3. PV AshaRani & Damien Lai & JingXuan Koh & Mythily Subramaniam, 2022. "Purpose in Life in Older Adults: A Systematic Review on Conceptualization, Measures, and Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-25, May.
    4. Michael Eid & Ed Diener, 2004. "Global Judgments of Subjective Well-Being: Situational Variability and Long-Term Stability," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 65(3), pages 245-277, February.
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