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“Inner Peace is the Good Life’’: Conceptualizations of Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults Aged 60 and Over in Rural Northern Ghana

Author

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  • Mark A. Aviisah

    (University of Groningen
    University of Health and Allied Sciences)

  • Hinke H. Haisma

    (University of Groningen)

  • Francis B. Zotor

    (University of Health and Allied Sciences)

  • Tobias C. Vogt

    (University of Groningen
    Manipal Academy of Higher Education)

Abstract

Improving well-being has increasingly become an important policy outcome for governments globally, prompting a focus on its conception and measurement. Existing studies on conceptions of well-being in Ghana have mainly focused on adolescents and adults. Given that Ghana’s population is ageing, exploring conceptions of well-being among older adults is important for improving their well-being. This study explores how older adults aged 60 and above conceptualize well-being and how the socio-cultural context shapes these conceptions in rural northern Ghana, West Africa. We undertook 17 in-depth interviews in a low resource setting in Ghana focusing on community-dwelling older adults from three socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. Interviews were analysed thematically. Overall, older adults conceptualized well-being as multidimensional, largely shaped by their socio-cultural context consisting of: (1) material security, (2) physical and cultural work capacity, (3) health, affect and psychological well-being, (4) religiosity/spirituality, and (5) contributing to others. In this context, a low-arousal positive affect, inner peace, was central to a ‘good life’ in older adulthood. Given the multidimensional conceptualization of well-being and how inner peace was central to the good life, a multi-faceted approach that addresses the different dimensions to ensure emotional stability, resilience and security is required for improving well-being among older adults in Ghana.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark A. Aviisah & Hinke H. Haisma & Francis B. Zotor & Tobias C. Vogt, 2025. "“Inner Peace is the Good Life’’: Conceptualizations of Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults Aged 60 and Over in Rural Northern Ghana," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 26(5), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:26:y:2025:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-025-00907-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-025-00907-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jelena Pokimica & Isaac Addai & Baffour Takyi, 2012. "Religion and Subjective Well-Being in Ghana," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 106(1), pages 61-79, March.
    2. Joseph Henrich & Steve J. Heine & Ara Norenzayan, 2010. "The Weirdest People in the World?," RatSWD Working Papers 139, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
    3. Aaron Adibe Agbo & Blessing Ome, 2017. "Happiness: Meaning and Determinants Among Young Adults of the Igbos of Eastern Nigeria," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 151-175, February.
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    5. Karen M van Leeuwen & Miriam S van Loon & Fenna A van Nes & Judith E Bosmans & Henrica C W de Vet & Johannes C F Ket & Guy A M Widdershoven & Raymond W J G Ostelo, 2019. "What does quality of life mean to older adults? A thematic synthesis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-39, March.
    6. Bjorn F.H. Van Campenhout, 2007. "Locally Adapted Poverty Indicators Derived from Participatory Wealth Rankings: A Case of Four Villages in Rural Tanzania," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 16(3), pages 406-438, June.
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