Adaptive coping and resilience: key determinants of ego-integrity in older adults

Employing structural equation models, this study investigates the intricate dynamics of coping strategies, resilience, and ego-integrity in the pursuit of successful aging. Rooted in Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the research centers on the critical stage where older adults engage in profound reflection to attain ego-integrity. Analyzing data from 401 healthy older adults in Valencia, Spain, the study scrutinizes coping strategies, distinguishing between problem-oriented and emotion-oriented approaches, alongside resilience and ego-integrity. Results reveal that adaptive coping strategies positively predict resilience, while maladaptive strategies exert a negative impact. Resilience emerges as a key predictor of ego-integrity, serving as a self-regulatory mechanism that shapes the evaluation of one's life history. These findings, underpinned by structural equation models, align with prior research, emphasizing the significance of adaptive coping and resilience in successful aging. The implications for tailored interventions promoting adaptive coping strategies, resilience, and overall well-being in older adults are discussed, contributing nuanced insights into the intricate dynamics influencing successful aging.