Peculiarities of Self-attitude Motivation in Persons with Different Emotinal Tonus in Late Adulthood

Abstract

Thepaperresearchesmotivationofself-attitudeinelderlypeople (60−79yearsold) with different emotional tonus: higher, lowerand neutral one. Theresearchhasshownthathighlyexpressedsthenicemotions improve self-attitude, whilehighdegreeof frustration reactions is related tostrong doubtsas to the value of one’s personality. Therearecontradictionsinself-attitudeofelderlypeoplewithhigheremotionaltonus: strongasthenicemotionsarerelatedtoboth negative(internal conflicts, self-abasement, self-accusation, decreased self-value, closedness) and positive self-attitude (self-perception). Ontheonehand, weaksthenicemotions, characteristicofpeoplewithloweremotionaltonus, are related to poor self-regulation, low self-respect, on the other hand, such peopleare more open and inclined to self-cognition. Neutralleveloffrustrationreactionsinelderlypeoplecauseslowersatisfactionwithpersonalautonomyand life goals, however, self-value and self-affection can increase. Theresearchrevealstheroleofself-attitudewhich dependsonone’semotionaltonus. Highertonusresultsinimprovedself-attitudewhichisinfluencedbymotivesofgeneralactivity, community service, achievingsocialstatusand communication; with lower tonus – motive of creativity and community service; with neutral – motives of creativity and comfort. Itisrevealedthatfactorstructuresofself-attitudemotivationsinelderlypeoplewithdifferentemotionaltonusaresimilarinforms, while being different in content. Forpeoplewithhigheremotionaltonusthemostimportantroleisgiventoself-respectandcommunicationmotive; forpeoplewithlowertonus – self-affectionand motive of general activity; forpeoplewithneutraltonus – lack of self-abasement and motive of general activity.

Keywords: self-attitude, motivation, emotional tonus, late adulthood.