Partner Sense of Purpose Predicts Personal and Relational Well-Being in Older Adult Couples

Jason A. Mitala, Brett K. Jakubiak, Yuxi Xie, Brooke C. Feeney, Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Department of Psychology, University of Macau, Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

Published online on July 28, 2026

Abstract

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Ahead of Print.
One’s own sense of purpose is an important predictor of well-being in older adulthood. This research examines whether having a purposeful romantic partner predicts additional enhancements in one’s personal and relational well-being, beyond those explained ...