Cite as (APA style): Farnicka, M. (2026). Elderly Well-being in the Framework of Balance and Relational Dimensions. The Global Psychotherapist, 6(1), 142-148 http://doi.org/10.52982/lkj298
Abstract: The article presents a multidimensional approach to the well-being of older adults, grounded in the Balance Model and the Relational Dimensions derived from Transcultural Positive Psychotherapy (PPT). At the outset, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) conceptualization of well-being is introduced as a theoretical foundation. Well-being in late adulthood is conceptualized as a dynamic interaction among physical, psychological, social, and environmental factors that collectively shape quality of life and the trajectory of aging. Within this framework, the paper advances an integrative model of well-being informed by PPT principles, offering a novel lens for analyzing developmental changes and for designing interventions for older adults, their families, and caregivers. The proposed approach enables a more precise identification of factors that either promote or threaten well-being in later life. Drawing on a comprehensive review of the literature, the article emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and a care system grounded in dignity, positive representations of aging, and active social participation. It also introduces the 4A Model (Activity, Acceptance, Autonomy, and Activation), which provides a comprehensive framework for diagnosing and supporting older adults in sustaining psychological balance and a sense of meaning in life. The model is derived from PPT and supports a culturally sensitive, person-centered understanding of well-being applicable across diverse contexts. By applying the Positum Model, the Balance Model, and the Relational Dimensions, it is possible to integrate the emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of adaptation in late adulthood. Aging is thus presented not as a process of decline but as a life stage characterized by potential, relationships, and opportunities for personal growth.
Keywords: ageing, interdisciplinary care, elderly care, engagement, transcultural psychotherapy, Positive Psychotherapy