Regret attribution in old age: an exploration of causes of life regrets

Abstract

The study aims to understand the attribution of life regrets by older adults. Specifically, the study explores how people in old age attribute their major life regrets, and is there any gender difference in their regret attribution. The research follows Weiner’s causal attribution dimensions‒ external/internal, stable/unstable, and controllable/uncontrollable, to identify the attribution of regret. The study followed a narrative-based inquiry, where participants were asked to give accounts of their significant life regrets and what were the reasons for those regrets. A total of 60 retired older adults participated in the study; 30 males and 30 females, age between 60 and 80 years. A total of 157 regret incidents were narrated by the participants. Both quantitative and qualitative content analysis was used to examine the causes of regrets. The results show that participants attributed internal and external causes equally, their attribution on controllable reasons were slightly more than uncontrollable reasons, however, the stable causes were attributed significantly more than unstable reasons. The results also show gender differences in regret attribution, where females participants were found attributing more to external, stable, and uncontrollable aspects than males. The results and implications are discussed.