MEANING-LIFE ORIENTATIONS OF THE ELDERLY AND SENIORS LIVING IN THE GERONTOCENTER

Population aging represents a significant sociocultural shift that requires an in-depth study of the reconfiguration of value systems and “meaningful life orientations” that occur during retirement – a process that changes not only external behavior, but also the emotional and cognitive sphere of a person. The purpose of the study is to study the meaning-in-life orientations of older people living in gerontological centers – a controlled environment designed to provide continuous social, psychological and domestic care – by studying the meaning of life, goal orientation, future orientation and locus of control. The results revealed significant correlations between cognitive abilities, emotional well-being and life orientations; the key point was the paradoxical relationship between cognitive impairment and life satisfaction – people with severe cognitive impairment have higher life satisfaction and mental activation than people with mild and moderate impairment, which is likely due to psychological defense mechanisms. The study revealed gender differences in the manifestation of mental activity and the severity of life-meaning orientations: women demonstrated high emotional activation, but at the same time a high level of loneliness. The study’s findings highlight the importance of considering both cognitive and emotional aspects in psychological interventions for older adults, which may have practical applications in the development of targeted programs aimed at increasing personal potential and life satisfaction. The implications of the study extend to clinical gerontology and psychology, offering insights into how meaning in life orientations may serve as a critical determinant of psychological resilience in late adulthood