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

Shayan  Maleki; Rezvan  Morsali; Nafiseh  Sanaei; Masoud  Gorbanalipour

doi:10.18502/ehj.v12i1.21908

Shayan Maleki Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Khoy Branch, Khoy, Iran
Rezvan Morsali Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Anar Branch, Iran
Nafiseh Sanaei Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Urmia Branch, Iran
Masoud Gorbanalipour Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Khoy Branch, Khoy, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ehj.v12i1.21908

Keywords: Existential Anxiety, Older Adults, Meaning in Life, Dark Personality Traits, Loneliness

Abstract

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 204 older adults aged 60 years and above living in Khoy city, West Azerbaijan Province (2025–2026), 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 = 0.48, p < 0.001) and existential anxiety (β = 0.51, p < 0.001). Meaning in life was negatively associated with loneliness (β = -0.46, p < 0.001) and existential anxiety (β = -0.58, p < 0.001). Loneliness also positively predicted existential anxiety (β = 0.55, p < 0.001). In addition, dark personality traits had a significant indirect effect on existential anxiety through loneliness (β = 0.26, p < 0.001), while meaning in life had a significant negative indirect effect through loneliness (β = -0.25, p < 0.001).

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.