Resilience and Coping as Predictors of Well-Being in Adults

ABSTRACT

Well-being is one of the keys to successful and optimal development across the lifespan. Based on the idea that development involves changes in individuals’ adaptive capacity to meet their needs over time, the changes that occur in the second half of life require effort to adapt to the new reality. This study used a structural model to test the effects of coping strategies and resilience on well-being in a sample of 305 mid-life adults. Several constructs were measured: coping strategies, resilience, and well-being. A final model was obtained with good fit indices; psychological well-being was positively predicted by resilience and negatively by emotional coping. Moreover, positive reappraisal and avoidance form part of both coping strategies (problem-focused and emotion-focused). Considering the characteristics of the model, educational intervention programs could be developed to promote skills that favor good adaptation at this stage in the life cycle and contribute to promoting successful aging.

KEYWORDS:

• Adult
• coping strategies
• personal resiliency
• well-being

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Teresa Mayordomo

Paz Viguer, PhD, is a professor in the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia. Her research focuses on developmental psychology and aging. She has examined the psychological influences on well-being and how to promote successful aging.

Paz Viguer

Teresa Mayordomo, PhD, is a professor in the Catholic University of Valencia. She focuses her investigation on coping, well-being, and resilience in aging and dementia, method, and analysis of results.

Alicia Sales

Alicia Sales, PhD, is a professor in the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia. Her main field of study focuses on neuropsychological aspects in healthy older people and dementia patients, and nonpharmacological treatments in aging for improve successful and well-being aging.

Encarnación Satorres

Encarnación Satorres, PhD, is a research technician in the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia. Her research focuses on aging and dementia, neuropsychological assessment, and coping and well-being in aging.

Juan C. Meléndez

Juan Carlos Meléndez, PhD, is a professor in the Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia. His main field of study focuses on coping, well-being, and resilience in aging and dementia; nonpharmacological treatments in aging and dementia; and the method and analysis of results.