Cultural pathways to well-being in aging Japan: Exploring the meaning of “Good to Have Been Alive” through generativity, nature, and intergenerational connection
The expression "good to have been alive" reflects a multidimensional sense of well-being rooted in vertical (generational) and holistic (natural) connections. It complements global indicators by capturing culturally embedded sources of fulfillment in later life. Incorporating such expressions may enhance well-being assessment and policy design in aging societies. Further cross-cultural and qualitative research is needed to clarify how this sentiment resonates across different sociocultural contexts.
Authors
- Shigeru Ohtsuru (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6747-9859)
- Carl Becker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4519-8837)
- Ryota Sakamoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0774-9925)
- Kiichi Hirayama (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7088-4265)
- Taizo Wada (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0486-858X)
- Kozo Matsubayashi
- Yasuko Ishimoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7371-9137)
- Mitsuhiro Nose
- Yumi Kimura
- Michiko Fujisawa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1657-5944)
Institutions
- Tsuda University (JP)
- Kyoto University (JP)
- Center for Southeast Asian Studies (FR)
- Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare (JP)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Psychogeriatrics
- Published
- 2025-12-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100171
- Primary Topic
- Cultural Differences and Values
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science