Wellness During Midlife and Older Adulthood: A Different Perception

The authors explored how midlifers and older adults perceive wellness by factor analyzing the Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS; Adams, Bezner, & Steinhardt, 1997). Results indicated a 4-factor solution different from the 6 originally proposed wellness dimensions of the PWS, suggesting that wellness perceptions change as people age. Suggestions for further research are proposed. Keywords: wellness, Perceived Wellness Survey, midlifers, older adults, counseling ********** Do midlifers and older adults perceive wellness differently than existing wellness models portray? If they do, what are the implications for treatment? Although counselors may have a heightened interest in these questions because the concept is so central to their profession, answers to these questions are also valuable because the population of midlifers and older adults in the United States continues to increase (Committee for Economic Development, 1999; National Institute on Aging, 2006). With these demographic changes, the need for mental health services will grow (National Institute of Mental Health, 2005), and counselors will be called to help midlifers and older adults adjust to the challenges of aging. Wellness delineates professional counseling from other mental health disciplines. Many definitions and models of wellness exist (Adams, Bezner, & Steinhardt, 1997; Archer, Probert, & Gage, 1987; Ardell, 1988; Dunn, 1961; Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2000) and all share the concept that wellness is multidimensional in nature, encompassing dimensions such as the physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Wellness and wellness counseling help to define the counseling profession (Myers, 1992; Myers & Sweeney, 2004; Sweeney, 2001; 20/20: A Vision for the Future of Counseling, 2010, para. 2) and offer a unique guide to professional counselors' practice. Like most terms that define elements of the human experience, wellness is a plastic concept. In other words, how individuals perceive wellness changes over time. However, current wellness models do not account for developmental changes that would transform their structure and applicability with clients. For example, the Perceived Wellness Model (PWM; Adams et al., 1997) is a recently developed model consisting of six discrete theoretically (systems and salutogenic theory) derived wellness dimensions: (a) physical, (b) psychological, (c) emotional, (d) spiritual, (e) intellectual, and (f) social. These dimensions operate independently, but also coexist within a larger system and contribute to overall wellness. The problem with the PWM is that most of the research that attempted to substantiate the existence and discreteness of these dimensions was conducted using a younger sample, and no research exists that focuses on an older population. From a clinical perspective, this poses a standard of care issue for any counselor who would use a wellness model designed for younger adults with older clients. Would an older client see the psychological, emotional, and intellectual dimensions of wellness the same way as a younger client? If not, what clinical implications would this present if a counselor assumed that an older client did and based his or her treatment on this false assumption? WELLNESS OVER THE LIFE SPAN The life span development literature provides some theoretical explanation for why wellness perceptions might change over time. As individuals move across the life span, they experience many life events and challenges that will modify their view of wellness. For instance, Erikson (1959/1980) noted within his psychosocial theory that specific goals must be met within each of the eight life stages to successfully advance to the next stage. Individuals in the identity versus role confusion stage strive to develop a positive and independent identity, whereas those in the intimacy versus isolation stage seek to meet the goal of developing intimate and loving relationships with others. …