The Relationship Between Cognitive Flexibility, Quality of Life, and Meaning in Life with Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Basic Psychological Needs

Due to the growing proportion of older adults in recent years, addressing the psychological well-being of this population has become increasingly important. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive flexibility, quality of life (QOL), and meaning in life (MIL) with life satisfaction through the mediating role of basic psychological needs (BPNs) among older adults. This was a descriptive-correlational study using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of all individuals over the age of 60 living in Bushehr during the 2023–2024 academic year. A total of 200 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Participants completed Dennis & Vander Wal’s cognitive flexibility scale, the WHO QOL questionnaire, Steger’s MIL questionnaire, Neugarten et al.’s life satisfaction scale for older adults, and Deci & Ryan’s BPNs Scale. The data were analyzed using SEM in AMOS 24. The results indicated that cognitive flexibility, QOL, and MIL were significantly associated with life satisfaction both directly and indirectly (through BPNs). Specifically, cognitive flexibility, QOL, and the presence of meaning had significant positive relationships with BPNs, whereas the search for meaning had significant negative relationship with BPNs which, in turn, had a significant positive association with life satisfaction. Therefore, it can be concluded that promoting cognitive flexibility, enhancing QOL and MIL, and satisfying BPNs may increase life satisfaction among older adults.
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
 Introduction
Given the increasing number of older adults and the challenges associated with aging, examining the psychological well-being of this demographic has become increasingly important. Numerous studies have explored cognitive flexibility, quality of life, and meaning in life across various age groups, highlighting their positive effects on life satisfaction. Nevertheless, cognitive flexibility, compared to the other variables, has received relatively less scholarly attention in older adult populations. In contrast, quality of life and meaning in life have been more extensively studied and are recognized as influential factors in life satisfaction. Further research into cognitive flexibility may lead to a deeper understanding of how this capacity contributes to quality of life in later adulthood. Moreover, the mediating role of basic psychological needs, namely autonomy, competence, and relatedness, has not been comprehensively addressed in this context, despite their known impact on both psychological well-being and quality of life. This study aims to enhance understanding of how these variables are related to life satisfaction and contribute to improvements in the lived experiences of aging individuals. Accordingly, the present research investigates the relationship between cognitive flexibility, quality of life, and meaning in life with life satisfaction, through the mediating role of basic psychological needs.
Method
This study was an applied one in terms of its objective and employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included individuals over the age of 60 residing in Bushehr during the 2023–2024 academic year. Among this population, 200 participants (84 women and 114 men) were selected through convenience sampling method. Inclusion criteria were: (1) being over 60 years of age, and (2) having basic literacy skills (reading and writing). Exclusion criteria were: (1) not residing in institutional care settings, and (2) current use of psychiatric medication. Data were collected using Dennis & Vander Wal’s cognitive flexibility scale, the WHO quality of life questionnaire, Steger’s meaning in life questionnaire, Neugarten et al.’s life satisfaction scale for older adults, and Deci & Ryan’s basic psychological needs Scale. Questionnaires were distributed in person at urban centers and recreational spaces to individuals who met the eligibility criteria. To assess the reliability and internal consistency of the instruments, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated. Finally, the collected data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling in SPSS version 26 and AMOS version 24.
Results
To assess the assumption of normal distribution for the research variables, skewness and kurtosis tests were conducted. The obtained values indicated that all variables were within acceptable limits, supporting the univariate normality assumption. To examine potential multicollinearity, tolerance values and the variance inflation factor (VIF) were reviewed, revealing no issues with collinearity. The independence of residuals was confirmed through the Durbin-Watson test. To evaluate the research hypotheses, model fit was analyzed using structural equation modeling. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated significant associations between cognitive flexibility, quality of life, meaning in life, search for meaning, and basic psychological needs with life satisfaction (p< .05). Additionally, a strong negative correlation was observed between the presence of meaning and the search for meaning (p< .01). Fit indices for the proposed model were as follows: χ²/df = 0.12, GFI = 0.98, AGFI = 0.96, CFI = 0.98, and RMSEA = 0.06, all indicating a good model fit. Structural equation modeling results showed that all direct paths in the hypothesized model were statistically significant: cognitive flexibility (p<.01, β=.35), quality of life (p<.01, β=.51), presence of meaning (p<.01, β=.24), and search for meaning (p<.01,β=–.34) were significant predictors of life satisfaction. Moreover, bootstrap results confirmed the mediating role of basic psychological needs in the relationships of quality of life (p<.01, β=.22), cognitive flexibility (p<.01, β=.28), presence of meaning (p<.01, β=.19), and search for meaning (p<.01, β =.17) with life satisfaction.
Conclusion
Life satisfaction is one of the most important indicators of psychological well-being in later adulthood and is influenced by various factors. The results of this study revealed that basic psychological needs serve as meaningful mediators in the relationship between cognitive flexibility, quality of life, and meaning in life (both presence and search for meaning) with life satisfaction. Cognitive flexibility, as a key construct, may influence life satisfaction through the fulfillment of basic psychological needs. Individuals with higher cognitive flexibility are better equipped to adapt to life’s challenges and transitions, which, in turn, fosters greater satisfaction with life. In later adulthood, increased age, the emergence of physical and psychological difficulties, and the limitation of social and family relationships, due to the departure of children or the loss of close friends and loved ones, can adversely affect quality of life and reduce overall life satisfaction. Among influencing variables, meaning in life plays a significant role. The negative relationship found between the presence of meaning and the search for meaning supports Steger et al.’s model of presence-to-search, suggesting that individuals who already perceive a strong sense of meaning are less inclined to seek it further. Overall, the findings of this study emphasize the need to focus on these psychological and existential factors to improve quality of life and enhance life satisfaction in older populations. Accordingly, health and social planning efforts should prioritize strengthening cognitive flexibility, promoting quality of life, and fostering a
sense of meaning in life as a means to support psychological and social well-being in this demographic.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical Code
This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch, under the code IR.IAU.BEHBAHAN.REC.1403.097.
Financial Support
This research received no financial support.
Authors’ Contributions
Sh.KH: Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Writing - Original Draft; L.B.S: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing - Review & Editing, Project administration, Supervision, Visualization
Conflict of Interest
The author had no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to express their gratitude to the Research Affairs Department of Islamic Azad University, Behbahan Branch, for their collaboration in the implementation of this study. Special thanks are also extended to the esteemed reviewers for their insightful structural and scientific feedback. The authors are sincerely grateful to the participants in later adulthood whose contributions were vital to this research.
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