Environment and Other Determinants of Weil-Being in Older People

Four sectors comprising “the good life” are described: behavioral competence, psychological well-being, perceived quality of life, and objective environment. Each may be divided into conceptually meaningful domains capable of being measured. Assessment approaches for each sector are described and empirical evidence is presented regarding interrelationships amongthem. Nonetheless, each sector implies individual and social goals that are defensible without regard to how much the effect of change in one is reflected in change in another sector. All sectors influence the self, which in turn re-energizes the sectors.