Perceived Quality of Life, Well-Being, and Curiosity of Older Adults

The study examined the relationships between the perceived quality of life (QoL), well-being (WB), and curiosity of older adults. A convenience sample of 199 subjects answered the CASP12 questionnaire (measuring QoL), the 5-DCR scale (measuring curiosity), and a brief demographic questionnaire (referring to gender, age, marital status, and continued interest in the profession). The qualitative layer consisted of twenty in-depth, semi-structured interviews with curious older adults. Findings of the quantitative layer pointed to an substantial association between curiosity and QoL, underscoring the direct and indirect (through curiosity) effects of the demographic factors on QoL, particularly curiosity’s mediating effect on the relationships between continued interest in the profession and QoL. The impact of curiosity, love of learning, and personal attributes on WB were highlighted in the qualitative layer. Implications for cultivating a growth mindset focusing on curiosity across the lifespan and publicizing their role in fostering adaptive aging were discussed.