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Indicators of affective component Essay This observation gives a glimpse that how sense of belonging, and need for being wanted, loved, and cared for particularly by the family members are essential components to experiencing happiness in the lives of the Gladys elderly. The results show that the institutionalized elderly to having a sense of security in terms of their future. This sense of security in terms of money alone does not ensure happiness or well-being among the elderly. According to their administrators, the elderly seemed to try to cope with their given situation of not having the family members to take care of their emotional needs. Apparently they put on a brave front and tried to sound unaffected and affirmed that they were in ‘good hands’ and ‘there was nothing to worry’ ‘that fathers will take care of until they die’ and even compared their room in Gladys as cozy as one’s ‘mother’s womb. ’ One could notice that most of their references pertained to physical security and not to emotional security which they probably were aware that they could not expect from their family members. Family care is the traditional approach to care giving for the aged and they prefer to be cared at home because it offers better morale and security (Doress-Worters Siegal, 1994). Along with the material security, the need for emotional security is to be assured for the institutionalized aged to experience subjective sense of well-being. Contributing Factors toward SWB among the Institutionalized Aged Results of the study reveal that from the administrators’ viewpoint, subjective well-being among the institutionalized aged rests on their physical health, autonomy/freedom, money/income, meaningful relationships, social interest, concept of time, attitude toward death, and religion and/spirituality. Each of these themes/factors had its sub themes or factors. Physical Health The findings based on the case analysis, content analyzed in-depth interviews with the elderly, and their close associates were consistent on the aspect of health. It highlighted the importance of age specific physical health as one of the most important variables in predicting well-being or happiness among the eldely in the study. It has been empirically proven. According to Campbell et al. (1976), â€Å"When respondents are asked to judge the importance of various domains of their lives, â€Å"good health† obtains the highest rating. † Under physical health, basic competence or physical mobility, food, accommodation, environment, physical exercise and recreational activities (expanded competence) were also considered in the study. The findings showed that these different domains of health contributed toward better physical well-being which positively influences emotional well-being of the elderly. Studies based on older people suggest those encountering functional health problems (basic competence) are at risk for experiencing decline in subjective well-being (Kunzmann, Little, Smith, 2000). It showed that those who enjoyed functional health or having basic competence had come to terms with or maintained a positive attitude toward aging and the age-related physical decline. This finding is aligned with the supposition of Kunzmann et al. (2000) that if it were possible for one to get older without experiencing losses and negative events such as declines in health and physical functioning, he or she would experience increased levels of emotional health. Autonomy/Freedom Freedom and autonomy played a significant role in the well-being of the older adults under study as perceived by Gladys Spellman administrators. Minimal external restrictions and individual freedom even in spiritual matters were considered to be the most attractive feature of the ‘home’, which gave them a sense of independence and personal worth. According to Christopher (1999) it is our capacity for autonomy that brings us our dignity as human beings. Butler et al.(1998) resumed that a possible nagging question in the older person is, â€Å"Can I survive independently without being a burden? † The person whose identity has been that of a dependent person may find it easier to accept illness and institutionalization than so-called independent, autonomous person whose identity has been structured accordingly. Studies conducted by the National Institute of Health show that restrictions in control have detrimental effects on the health of older people (Butler et al. 1998), and therefore on their subjective perception and experience of well being.