Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{184261,
        author = {Mehjabeen Mehaboob},
        title = {Relationship between Purpose in Life and Psychological Distress among Older Adults},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {662-666},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184261},
        abstract = {Later life is accompanied by physical decline, psychosocial changes, and increased vulnerability to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Purpose in life, defined as a sense of meaning, direction, and intentionality, has emerged as a protective factor that fosters resilience and psychological well-being. The present study investigates the relationship between purpose in life and psychological distress among older adults, with attention to gender differences. A purposive sample of 80 participants (40 males and 40 females) aged 65–79 years was selected from Palakkad district, Kerala. Standardized measures including the Purpose in Life Scale (PIL), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were administered. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and independent samples t-test. Results revealed a significant negative correlation between purpose in life and psychological distress (r = –0.469, p < .001), suggesting that higher purpose is associated with lower distress. No significant gender difference was found in purpose in life; however, females reported significantly higher psychological distress than males. These findings highlight the protective role of purpose in life in reducing psychological distress and underscore the need for gender-sensitive interventions to support the mental well-being of older adults.},
        keywords = {Purpose in Life, Psychological Distress, Older Adults, Gender Differences, Well-being},
        month = {September},
        }