Propósito de vida na longevidade/ life pourpose and longevity

AbstractThe constant search for meaning in life through purpose is an inherent issue of the human condition. These existential uncertainties seek to answer the "why of our existence" in the world. Viktor Frankl, the father of logotherapy, was one of the first to address this topic within the field of Psychology. In the 1990s, Seligman’s Positive Psychology proposed human flourishing and the enhancement of well-being. Life Purpose (LP) is defined as the sense of meaning and intentionality that guides personal goals and decisions.This study aims to understand how life purpose in older adults contributes to achieving longevity with health. The methodology is based on a systematic literature review, following PRISMA guidelines, with research conducted in scientific publication databases (APA PsycNET, PubMed, Scopus, and LILACS). The research terms in English, “life purpose and longevity,” were used as search filters in the psychological domain.Scientific studies on LP in adults and the elderly suggest that LP functions as a protective factor and is associated with beneficial psychological states and healthy behaviors, while also being related to a reduction in risk behaviors. It serves as a significant protective factor against mortality, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, functional limitations, hospitalizations, and other negative health outcomes. The lack of purpose can lead to existential emptiness, while aligning intentions with life purpose leads to a more authentic, meaningful life that promotes both physical and mental health.Keywords: older adults; healthy aging; life purpose; life satisfaction; eudaimonic well-being.