This book pioneers evidence-based research on healthy aging through the application of self determination theory (SDT). Its uniqueness is located in the fact that to date, no other work has applied SDT to the empirical study of aging populations. The authors focus on how SDT drives healthy, successful and active aging, and note that the motivation factors underpinning healthy aging are often neglected, or altogether absent, in the existing literature. This edited volume is particularly timely given the expanding aging crisis in many North American, European and Asian contexts. The collection of chapters meets this challenge head-on in comparing these contexts vis-a-vis a broad international scope, and subsequent discussions on important specialty issues in aging, such as hearing and memory loss. The work offers global perspectives on aging, autonomy and associated life challenges, as well as factors relating to the sustainability of healthy aging in terms of physical and mental well-being. This book will be highly relevant to researchers in the SDT community, as well as specialists in aging and gerontology. It will also be of interest to lifespan psychologists and developmental psychologists.

This book pioneers evidence-based research on healthy aging through the application of self determination theory (SDT). Its uniqueness is located in the fact that to date, no other work has applied SDT to the empirical study of aging populations. The authors focus on how SDT drives healthy, successful and active aging, and note that the motivation factors underpinning healthy aging are often neglected, or altogether absent, in the existing literature. This edited volume is particularly timely given the expanding aging crisis in many North American, European and Asian contexts. The collection of chapters meets this challenge head-on in comparing these contexts vis-a-vis a broad international scope, and subsequent discussions on important specialty issues in aging, such as hearing and memory loss. The work offers global perspectives on aging, autonomy and associated life challenges, as well as factors relating to the sustainability of healthy aging in terms of physical and mental well-being. This book will be highly relevant to researchers in the SDT community, as well as specialists in aging and gerontology. It will also be of interest to lifespan psychologists and developmental psychologists.

Chapter 1.Self-Determination Theory: Attributes of healthy ageing.- Chapter 2.Towards healthy ageing: Understanding enabling factors and well-being in Singapore.- Chapter 3.Predicting relations among life goals, physical activity, health, and well-being in elderly adults: A Self-Determination Theory perspective on healthy ageing.- Chapter 4.Musical engagement and psychological need satisfaction in later life: Experiences from communities of older musicians in Japan and Hong Kong.- Chapter 5 .Why care? A Self-Determination Theory perspective of informal caregiving.- Chapter 6 .How do people engage with hearing services? Exploring motivation for help-seeking and perceptions of autonomy support in older adults seeking help for their hearing.- Chapter 7.A phenomenological exploration of autonomy and related psychological needs among the residents of a memory care unit.- Chapter 8.Autonomy and active ageing.- Chapter 9.Benefits of travel motivation in senior adults: A self-determination theory approach.- Chapter 10.The importance of a supportive community environment in promoting and sustaining healthy ageing: A self-determination theory perspective.