{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,20]],"date-time":"2026-07-20T17:06:26Z","timestamp":1784567186509,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,20]],"date-time":"2026-07-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1784505600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Geriatrics"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Aging involves several social, psychological, and biological changes, including changes in perceived energy. Within Self-Determination Theory, Subjective Vitality refers to the experience of having energy available to the self. Despite its relevance for older adults, no review has mapped how Subjective Vitality has been studied in this population. This scoping review aimed to map the literature on Subjective Vitality in older adults and identify gaps in the evidence base. Method: Following Joanna Briggs Institute guidance, five electronic databases were searched for peer-reviewed quantitative articles published between 1997 and 2026 in which Subjective Vitality was assessed in samples with a mean age of 65 years or older. Of the 1915 records identified, 11 reports were included, corresponding to eight independent samples. Results: Studies were conducted in a limited number of countries, predominantly Western, and showed substantial heterogeneity across research domains. Subjective Vitality was most often assessed using the Subjective Vitality Scale, although different versions and response formats were used, and psychometric or adaptation evidence specific to older adults was limited. Potential antecedents and mechanisms included basic psychological need satisfaction, autonomy support, autonomous regulation, intrinsic goals, flow, social contacts, ego integrity, and meaning in life. Intervention studies suggested that leisure education and endurance training may support Subjective Vitality, although evidence remains limited. Conclusions: Future studies should use clearer sampling procedures, validated and well-reported measures, and stronger longitudinal and intervention designs capable of testing temporal and causal relationships.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/geriatrics11040091","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,20]],"date-time":"2026-07-20T16:19:27Z","timestamp":1784564367000},"page":"91","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["The Role of Subjective Vitality Among Older Adults from a Self-Determination Theory Perspective: A Scoping Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"given":"James","family":"Dawe","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Mercatorum University, Piazza Mattei 10, 00186 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4637-7842","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Christina M.","family":"Frederick","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32144, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1748-7295","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sara","family":"Manganelli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8552-2737","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Elisa","family":"Cavicchiolo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8998-9374","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fabio","family":"Alivernini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Giulia","family":"Raimondi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"BeSSA Department, Wellbeing, Health and Environmental Sustainability, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"United Nations (2023). 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