Global perspectives on serene, graceful, and positive aging: A conceptual framework

With an increasing global demographic shift towards an aged human population, there is now an urgent call for paradigm shifts from deficit-oriented aging models toward strength-based models focusing on positive aging outcomes. In this conceptual work, a multi-faceted construct surrounding serene, graceful, and positive aging is explored with a global perspective, integrating cross-cultural understandings and evidence-based frameworks. It proposes an integrative model that encompasses psychological well-being, social connectedness, spiritual fulfilment, and adaptive resilience, drawing on theories of successful aging, principles from positive psychology, and cultural gerontology. The cross-cultural analysis indicates vast differences in perceptions of aging while identifying cross-cultural factors contributing toward an ideal aging experience. Implications for mental health practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in the formation of culturally sensitive interventions and support systems are evaluated. This framework may become a springboard for the promotion of dignity, meaningfulness, and psychological well-being in the later years of life across multiple global settings.