Relationship Between Emotions and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: A Study on Older Adults in Pakistan

This study aims to investigate the relationship among adverse life events, positive and negativeaffect, and resilience in older adults. The research further identifies whether positive and/ornegative affect serve as a mediator between negative life events and resilience. A sample ofN=103 older adults was selected from Lahore, Pakistan through purposeful sampling. Given theunique cultural and socio-economic environment of Pakistan, understanding these relationshipscan provide insight into the mental well-being of older adults within this geographical region.Data collection measures included the Geriatric Adverse Life Events Scale (GALES), Positive andNegative Affect Schedule (PANAS), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and a demographic form. Thestudy used a cross sectional research design. The results revealed significant correlation betweenresilience and negative life events, as well as positive and negative affect. However, the analysisrevealed that affect did not significantly mediate the relationship between negative life events andresilience. Furthermore, gender differences emerged, with females reporting higher negativeaffect scores and males exhibiting greater resilience. This study emphasizes the importance ofprioritizing older adults' mental well-being, especially given the prevalence of negative events inlater life.