Aging in the Shadow of Anxiety: Autonomy as a Buffer Against the Psychological Impact of Growing Older
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Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
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This study explores the impact of financial decision-making autonomy on the mental health and economic security of elderly individuals in Malaysia. As the aging population grows, understanding the psychological and economic dynamics of aging has become increasingly critical. Employing a quantitative research design, data were collected from 384 respondents aged 40 and above through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Key variables examined include financial decision-making autonomy, mental health indicators such as aging anxiety and perceived discrimination, and economic security factors including income stability and perceived financial distress. The findings indicate that financial autonomy significantly enhances mental health by reducing anxiety and fostering a sense of control, while also improving perceptions of economic security. Moreover, perceived autonomy was found to moderate the adverse effects of financial distress on mental well-being, highlighting its protective role in later life. These results underscore the importance of empowering older adults with financial literacy and decision-making capabilities, while addressing societal ageism and reducing external constraints. The study contributes to the growing literature on aging and provides practical recommendations for policies aimed at promoting autonomy, economic resilience, and mental health among the elderly population.