Happy Alone? Older Adults with Positive Motivations for Solitude Exhibit Greater Well-Being

Cluster analyses of 397 older adults’ data revealed four distinct profiles of motivations for solitude: Low, Positive, Negative, and Dual. Participants with Positive or Low Motivations displayed significantly greater well-being than those with Negative or Dual Motivations. In particular, the Positive profile exhibited significantly greater psychological richness and personal growth.