Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences ISSN: 2231– 6345 (Online) An Open Access, Online International Journal Available at www.cibtech.org/sp.ed/jls/2014/04/jls.htm 2014 Vol. 4 (S4), pp. 2121-2126/Shafaei et al. Research Article © Copyright 2014 | Centre for Info Bio Technology (CIBTech) 2121 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OPTIMISM, SELF-ACTUALIZATION, RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL BEING ON ACTIVE AND NON ACTIVE OLDERS Jalal Shafaei 1 , Somaye Saadati 2 , Pouran Sabetkhah 3 and *Ade l Mirzae i 4 1 Department of General Psychology, Youth Researcher Club Member 2 Department of Psychometrics (Assessment and Measurement) 3 Department of Sport psychology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran 4 Sama Technical and Vocational Training College, Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran *Author for Correspondence ABSTRACT Understanding and promoting positive aspects of well-being in older adults is important given the growing number of older adults. The main purpose of this study was to investigatethe relationship between optimism, self-actualization, religious orientation and psychological well being on active and non active olders. The results indicate that positive significant relationship between optimism, self- actualization, and religious orientation with psychological well being on active and non active olders . Optimism, self-actualization, religious orientation can predict active olders and non active olders psychological well being. Keywords: Optimism, Self-actualization, Religious Orientation, Psychological Well Being INTRODUCTION Understanding and promoting positive aspects of well-being in older adults is important given the growing number of older adults (Ferguson, 2010). Positive well-being has been conceptualized according to Ryff and colleagues (2004) and others (Ryan and Deci, 2001; Waterman et al., 2008) as subjective (hedonic) well-being, which emphasizes happiness and pleasure; and psychological (eudaimonic) well- being, which focuses on the fulfillment of human potential.There is also growing empirical evidence for these two aspects of well-being being related but distinct (e.g., Compton et al., 1996; Ryff and Keyes, 1995). Keyes et al., (2002), for example, in both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a higher order well-being factor with two distinct oblique factors: psychological and subjective well-being. The highest loading for subjective well-being (SWB) was positive affect and the highest for psychological well-being (PWB) was purpose in life. Similarly, McGregor and Little (1998) found two factors: subjective well-being (which included positive affect) and psychological well-being (which included purpose in life). Ryff et al., (2004) have even found different biological correlates for these two aspects of well-being. Dispositional optimism has been defined as the generalized expectation that a person will obtain good outcomes in life (Carver and Scheier, 2001). It is construed as a stable personality characteristic. The positive effects of optimism have been demonstrated across diverse stressful situations (see Lightsey, 1996; Scheier and Carver, 1985). Positive effects of optimism could either be mediated through positive coping strategies, for example, optimists use more problem-focused strategies, information seeking and positive reframing (Scheier et al., 2001), or through psychosocial variables such as perceived social support and perception of control. Other researchers found positive significant relation between optimism and psychological well being (e.g: Seligman and Csikszentmihalyi, 2000; Shahani et al., 2005). Several theories of personality development posit a highest stage that parallels Maslow’s (1968) stage of self actualizing. Maslow (1968) also characterizes self-actualizing as the epitome of psychological health and well-being. However, most of the stage models of personality development—notably those that focus on structural, cognitive development (e.g., Loevinger, Kegan, and Fowler, but not necessarily Erikson) —