Psychological Flexibility as a Developmental Resource in Later Life: Associations With Loneliness

Abstract

Loneliness in later life is a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by psychological, social and health-related factors. Psychological flexibility has emerged as a potential protective resource, yet its role in older adults’ perceptions of loneliness remains underexamined. This study investigated the association between psychological flexibility and loneliness among 182 adults aged 65 + residing in a province in Türkiye's Black Sea region, using an online survey. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients and internal consistency analyses were conducted in SPSS 24.0. Psychological flexibility showed a strong inverse association with perceived loneliness (ρ = −0.824, p < .01). All subdimensions were related to lower emotional and social loneliness, with the strongest links for Self-as-Context and for Values and Committed Action. Reliability analyses indicated high internal consistency for all measures. Overall, greater psychological flexibility was linked to reduced loneliness in older adulthood, underscoring psychological flexibility as a key resource and a potential target for assessment and intervention.