---
title: The “3 As” & Older Adults’ Mental Health & Well-Being
---

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# LEARN HOW UNIVERSAL DRIVERS

## ARE LINKED TO BETTER MENTAL HEALTH

Developed in spring 2021, this study investigates the extent to which older adults’ universal psychological drivers of autonomy, affiliation, and achievement (the 3 As) were being met during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research brief explores whether there was a relationship between these needs and mental health, and between these three needs and wellness. Findings reveal that the 3 As are associated with important mental health and wellness outcomes.

##### IN THIS RESEARCH BRIEF, YOU’LL LEARN:

- the relationship between the 3 As and mental health, including COVID-19-related mental health concerns
- the associations between the 3 As and emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, physical, and vocational wellness
- strategies for supporting the mental health of older adults by increasing their feelings of autonomy, achievement, and affiliation

## FROM THIS RESEARCH BRIEF:

“The degree to which older adults experience autonomy seems to be particularly important to mental health, as findings indicate that a greater sense of autonomy is associated with four out of five mental health indicators.”

![three as report](https://information.matherinstitute.com/hubfs/three%20as%20report.png "three as report")

###### DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY OF THIS RESEARCH REPORT:

## AUTONOMY, AFFILIATION & ACHIEVEMENT

###### The “3 As” & Older Adults’ Mental Health & Well-Being

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