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Centenary Personality: Are There Psychological Resources that Distinguish Centenarians?

Author

Listed:
  • Mª Dolores Merino

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid
    Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón)

  • Marta Sánchez-Ortega

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

  • Elvira Elvira-Flores

    (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)

  • Inmaculada Mateo-Rodríguez

    (Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública
    CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP)
    Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED))

Abstract

The number of centenarians is increasing year by year. Considering that happier people are likely to live longer, we asked ourselves whether healthy centenarians share psychological resources or positive personality characteristics that have enabled them to face traumatic situations and the challenges life more successfully. To our knowledge this is an issue that has not been sufficiently researched. Mixed methodology was applied. Qualitative Study 1: Nineteen centenarians participated between 100 and 107 years old of which 16 were women. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews about their life story were done. Quantitative Study 2: The purpose was to control the results of Study 1. Fifteen proxies for the centenarians participated. Results: In Study 1, 35 psychological resources were identified, of which 19 were central or identifying resources of the centenarians, and 16 peripheral or the product of individual differences. The central resources were grouped into six categories: vitality, taking pleasure in interaction, commitment, control, intellectually motivated and positivity, with resilience and intelligence added. The results in Study 2 were completely concordant. In conclusion, analysis of the lives of healthy centenarians provides us with knowledge that could help in achieving a healthy old age. Additionally, the study opens up new lines of research.

Suggested Citation

  • Mª Dolores Merino & Marta Sánchez-Ortega & Elvira Elvira-Flores & Inmaculada Mateo-Rodríguez, 2023. "Centenary Personality: Are There Psychological Resources that Distinguish Centenarians?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(8), pages 2723-2745, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:24:y:2023:i:8:d:10.1007_s10902-023-00700-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-023-00700-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carmela A White & Bob Uttl & Mark D Holder, 2019. "Meta-analyses of positive psychology interventions: The effects are much smaller than previously reported," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(5), pages 1-48, May.
    2. R. Veenhoven, 2008. "Healthy happiness: effects of happiness on physical health and the consequences for preventive health care," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(3), pages 449-469, September.
    3. Dunigan Folk & Elizabeth Dunn, 2023. "A systematic review of the strength of evidence for the most commonly recommended happiness strategies in mainstream media," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 7(10), pages 1697-1707, October.
    4. M. Dolores Merino & Marta Velázquez & Tim Lomas, 2020. "An Exploration of the Spanish Cultural Term Rasmia: A Combination of Eagerness, Strength, Activeness, Courage, Tenacity and Gracefulness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 693-707, February.
    5. M. Dolores Merino & Coral Oliver-Hernández & M. Dolores Vallellano & Inmaculada Mateo, 2020. "Is It Possible to Find Something Positive in Being Confined Due to COVID-19? Implications for Well-Being," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-10, December.
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