Nazwa Azizah; Arum Dwi Kartika; Afif Dwi Erwinanta; Alviana Eka Agustina; Nadhira Rasendriya Pangestu +4 more
Elderly individuals living in nursing homes often face psychological challenges such as loneliness, loss of social roles, and limited interaction with family members. This qualitative study aims to explore how nursing home staff perceive the psychological well-being of the elderly based on Ryff’s six dimensions: self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. A qualitative approach was employed using in-depth interviews with two permanent staff members at Panti Werdha Harapan Ibu, Semarang, who were purposively selected based on their involvement in elderly care. Data were collected through open-ended interviews guided by Ryff’s scale indicators and analyzed thematically. The results indicate that the elderly are able to accept their condition, build warm social relationships, maintain a level of independence in daily activities, and successfully adapt to the nursing home environment. They also show enthusiasm in participating in various activities and a willingness to continue personal development. These findings suggest that the psychological well-being of the elderly in nursing homes is largely influenced by social support from staff and fellow residents, as well as structured activities that foster a sense of purpose and meaning in life. The implications of this study highlight the vital role of nursing home staff as key agents in maintaining and enhancing the psychological well-being of the elderly through a personal, warm, and humanistic approach.