Self-Esteem and Psychological Well-Being in Middle-Adulthood Women: Issues and Perspectives
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2227-1376-2026-47-kuhKeywords:
psychological well-being, self-esteem, middle-aged women, generativity, resilience, self-acceptance, ageismAbstract
Purpose. The article is devoted to a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the relationship between psychological well-being and the self-esteem of middle-aged women in the context of modern social transformations and crisis challenges. The study aims to reveal the mechanisms of transformation in a woman's self-perception and to determine the role of internal subjectivity as a resource for adaptation to the extreme conditions of today.
Methods. To achieve this goal, a retrospective and comparative analysis of fundamental psychological concepts (T. Tytarenko, D. McAdams, C. Ryff) was employed. The method of theoretical modeling was applied to integrate the concepts of «generativity» and «resilience», alongside an analysis of empirical reports (specifically from the Qui.help platform and research by B. Levy) to study the impact of self-acceptance on biological and psychological health indicators during the period of 2022–2026.
Conclusions. The study proves that maturity is a period of qualitative transition in self-esteem from external determination (dependence on social evaluations) to internal subjectivity. A woman’s psychological well-being is determined by her capacity for the authorship of her own life and the construction of new meanings. Generativity—the successful integration of the need for belonging (Communion) and self-assertion (Agency)—is identified as a key resource for self-worth.
Particular attention is paid to the specifics of the Ukrainian context, where self-esteem acts as a critical factor in resilience and psychological well-being. A high level of self-acceptance functions as a cognitive buffer that reduces the risk of developing PTSD by 40% and prevents emotional exhaustion through the «caring for others» strategy. Additionally, a biological aspect of well-being was identified: a positive perception of one’s own age contributes to lower cortisol levels and supports neuroplasticity, potentially extending life by 7.5 years. At the same time, the destructive pressure of digital ageism was recorded, creating a conflict between a woman's internal competence and media standards of «ideal resilience». It was concluded that optimal psychological well-being is based on the triad of «autonomy – generativity – narrative integrity», where self-esteem becomes a tool for life navigation.
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