Predictors of Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults in Urban Areas: Closeness With Children, Loneliness, and Independence

Abstract

The phenomenon of population aging in Indonesia is increasing, especially in urban areas, posing challenges to the psychological well-being of the elderly. One factor that can enhance older adults’ psychological well-being is the closeness of their relationship with their children. This study employed a cross-sectional quantitative research design and hypothesized that each dimension of relationship closeness affects psychological well-being through loneliness, and that independence buffers the impact of loneliness on well-being. Data were collected from 242 older adults living with their children in urban areas using incidental sampling and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that among the three dimensions of closeness, the strength dimension exerted the strongest influence on psychological well-being, both directly (β = –0.257, p < .001) and indirectly through loneliness (β = –0.064, p < .01). Additionally, the interaction between loneliness and independence was found to significantly affect the psychological well-being of older adults (β = 0.090, p < .05), which means independence as a protective moderator. These findings suggest that older adults individuals’ ability to maintain independence can buffer the negative impact of loneliness on their psychological well-being.