Prediction of Existential Anxiety in Older Adults: The Effects of Meaning in Life and Dark Personality Traits Through Loneliness

Introduction: Existential anxiety is a fundamental psychological experience related to awareness of mortality, isolation, and meaninglessness, and it becomes more prominent in older adulthood due to aging-related changes. The present study aimed to examine the relationships among dark personality traits, meaning in life, loneliness, and existential anxiety in older adults, with emphasis on the mediating role of loneliness. Methods: This quantitative, cross-sectional correlational study was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling. The sample consisted of ۲۰۴ older adults aged ۶۰ years and above living in Khoy city, West Azerbaijan Province (۲۰۲۵–۲۰۲۶), selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing existential anxiety, meaning in life, dark personality traits, and loneliness. Analyses were performed using SPSS and SmartPLS, including Pearson correlation, SEM, and bootstrapping. Results: The results showed that dark personality traits were positively associated with loneliness (β = ۰.۴۸, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and existential anxiety (β = ۰.۵۱, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Meaning in life was negatively associated with loneliness (β = -۰.۴۶, p < ۰.۰۰۱) and existential anxiety (β = -۰.۵۸, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Loneliness also positively predicted existential anxiety (β = ۰.۵۵, p < ۰.۰۰۱). In addition, dark personality traits had a significant indirect effect on existential anxiety through loneliness (β = ۰.۲۶, p < ۰.۰۰۱), while meaning in life had a significant negative indirect effect through loneliness (β = -۰.۲۵, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Existential anxiety in older adults is influenced by both maladaptive personality traits and meaning in life, with loneliness playing a central mediating role. Strengthening meaning in life and reducing loneliness may be effective targets for reducing existential distress in late adulthood.

کلیدواژه ها:

Existential Anxiety ، Older Adults ، Meaning in Life ، Dark Personality Traits ، Loneliness