Sofia Von Humboldt

Biographic Data

ID383756
NAMESofia Von Humboldt
GIVEN NAMESSofia
FAMILY NAMEVon Humboldt
SIGNATUREVON HUMBOLDT S
AFFILIATIONSISPA - Instituto Universitário
ORCID0000-0001-9664-6735
VERIFIEDYes
TOTAL WORKS40
TOTAL CITATIONS41
AUTHOR COUNT40
EDITOR COUNT0
FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR2013
LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR2026
H-INDEX4

  • Living on the edge: How older adult suicidal behavior strains their adult children’ mental health

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Gail Low et al.ARTICLECurrent Psychology2026

  • Burning Away the Odds. Climate Change, Changes in Behavior and Mental Health: A Qualitative Study With Older Adults

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Namrah Ilyas et al.ARTICLEJournal of Population Ageing2026

    Climate change is increasingly influencing older adults’ mental health and well-being, exposing critical vulnerabilities and challenges. The two main objectives of this study were (1) to explore older adults’ experiences of climate change and 2) to analyze how climate change affected older adults’ mental health and self-reported changes in behavior. A qualitative study involving 876 older adults from three nationalities (Brazilian, English, and P…

  • Navigating the Storm: How Does Meditation Influence Mental Health Among Older Adults With Chronic Conditions

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Isabel LealARTICLEJournal of Population Ageing2026

    Meditation can act as a protection for mental well-being in late years, by helping older adults to challenge the pervasive effects of chronic illness. The primary objectives of this qualitative research study are to: (a) to examine older adults’ experiences of meditation while living with chronic disease, and (b) to analyze how meditation is perceived to influence their mental health. The sample included 567 participants from three different nati…

  • Is there a time for wellbeing? The role of time perspective and ageism in subjective wellbeing along the lifespan in Portugal

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Isabel Miguel et al.ARTICLEAgeing and Society2026References: 77

    Time perspective can shape how individuals experience life, influencing their wellbeing, perspectives and interactions with societal attitudes. This study explores the interconnections between time perspective, perceived ageism and subjective wellbeing (SWB) across the lifespan. Specifically, it aims to (1) compare time perspective, perceived ageism and SWB among three age cohorts across the lifespan; (2) analyse the influence of time perspective…

  • Average or extraordinary? A tale of two studied samples’ anxiety related recovery work after Covid-19

    Open AccessGail Low, Alex Bacadini França et al.ARTICLEFrontiers in Public Health2025

    Introduction A global pandemic is a hardship and mentally distressing event for any of us, and particularly for people living at a greater risk of post-infectious health harms. Public discourse about COVID-19 largely characterizes older people as a physically and mentally vulnerable demographic. Research findings largely now to the contrary consider age an asset, a perspective in keeping with Seligman’s idea that everyday people can also see the …

  • Does time matter? The role of time perspective and ageism in mental health along the lifespan

    Open AccessIsabel Miguel, Sofia Von Humboldt et al.ARTICLECurrent Psychology2025

    Time perspective is a consistent personal viewpoint which evolves with age and may influence mental health across the lifespan. This study aims to: (1) compare time perspective, perceived ageism and mental health indicators, in three age cohorts across the lifespan; (2) examine the influence of time perspective on mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress); and (3) assess whether ageism serves as a moderating factor between time p…

  • What sexual well-being really means for older adults: A systematic review of the literature

    Sofia Von Humboldt, José Alberto Ribeiro-Gonçalves et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2025

  • Beyond the destination: A qualitative study on how experiencing leisure traveling shapes mental health among older adults

    Sofia Von Humboldt, Namrah Ilyas et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2025

    Leisure traveling holds the potential to positively influence the emotional and mental health of older adults, a population increasingly recognized for its unique well-being challenges. This study aims to: a) assess the emotional experiences of leisure traveling among older adults; and b) analyze how leisure traveling influences the mental health of older adults. A total of 784 older adults from three nationalities, aged 65 to 82 years (M = 71.4;…

  • Older and heavier: How obesity is experienced by older adults

    Sofia Von Humboldt, Namrah Ilyas et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2025

    The interplay between obesity and mental health in old age is complex and widely impacted by different biological, psychological, and social factors. The primary objectives of this qualitative research study are: a) To explore the influence of obesity on older adults’ well-being; b) to understand emotional experiences related to obesity in old age and; c) to explore how obesity influences the mental health of older adults. This study included 692…

  • Rethinking Sexual Interest Among Young Adults: A Qualitative Study

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Gail Low et al.ARTICLESexuality & Culture2025References: 15

  • Patterns of Sexuality, Adjustment to Aging and Satisfaction with Life: A Cluster Analysis of Adults Across the Lifespan

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Isabel Miguel et al.ARTICLEApplied Research in Quality of Life2025References: 44

    Sexual satisfaction, adjustment to aging, and satisfaction with life are relevant dimensions of overall well-being across the life cycle. Through cluster analysis procedures, this study aims to describe the specific profile of adjustment to aging, sexual satisfaction and satisfaction with life of adults across the life span. This cross-sectional study involved a community-based sample of 619 Portuguese individuals, aged between 18 and 92 years ol…

  • Perspectives on perceived workplace age discrimination and engagement: The moderating role of emotion regulation

    Isabel Miguel, Sofia Von Humboldt et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2024

    Engaging workers with their work is fundamental for employee wellbeing and performance. Perceived age discrimination in the workplace is a factor that may influence workers’ engagement. The present study aimed to analyze the moderating role of emotion regulation in the relationship between perceived age discrimination and work engagement. Survey data were collected from a sample of 453 Portuguese workers of various age groups, between 18 and 65 y…

  • How do older adults experience pet companionship? A qualitative study of the affective relationship with pets and its effect on the mental health of older adults during the Covid-19 pandemic

    Sofia Von Humboldt, Sara Silva et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2024

    This study aimed to explore the affective relationship of older adults with their pets during the COVID-19 pandemic; and to assess how this contributed to their mental health. This qualitative study included 351 participants aged 65–88 years from Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Spain. All interviews went through content analysis. Findings indicated five themes: (1) Enabling a meaningful affective relationship (86%); (2) Strengthening affective …

  • Sexual Well-Being and Aging Patterns: Findings of a Cluster Analysis among Older Adults in Portugal and Spain

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Emilia Cabras et al.ARTICLEEuropean Journal of Investigation…2024

    Objectives: From a cross-cultural perspective, aging well may encompass pertinent challenges in terms of adjustment, sexual well-being, and satisfaction with life in the late years. Considering the paucity of empirical data concerning cultural diversity of experiencing aging, this study aims to help fill this gap by assessing the specific patterns of sexual satisfaction, adjustment to aging (AtA), and life satisfaction with life (SwL) of older ad…

  • Sexual Well-Being in Old Age: Effectiveness of an Intervention Program to Promote Sexual Well-Being in Older Community-Dwelling Adults

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Gail Low et al.ARTICLESocial Sciences2024References: 10

    Objectives: While many people strive for a fulfilling sexual life as they age, the inevitable changes that come with aging can present significant challenges concerning their sexual well-being (SWB). This study aims to present a comparative analysis of the scores in the variables of sexual satisfaction, adjustment to aging (AtA), and satisfaction with life (SwL) before and after the implementation of an intervention program to promote SWB among o…

  • How Do Older Adults Perceive Sexual Unwellness? A Cross-National Qualitative Study with Mexican and Portuguese Older Adults

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Neyda Ma Medoza-Ruvalcaba et al.ARTICLESocial Sciences2024References: 12

    Objectives: Perspectives on sexual unwellness (SU), referring to difficulties in achieving sexual satisfaction and maintaining sexual relationships, may vary across different cultural contexts. Understanding how cultural factors such as social norms, religion, family values, and help-seeking behaviors influence SU is crucial. This cross-cultural study aims to explore Mexican and Portuguese older adults’ perspectives on SU in the context of aging …

  • Back to Kindergarten? Paternalistic Care Behavior in Healthcare Contexts and Older Adults’ Mental Health

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Sara Silva et al.ARTICLESocial Sciences2024References: 3

    Objectives: Paternalistic care behavior in health contexts reduces involvement in the decision-making process and dissatisfaction in healthcare, which may negatively influence older adults’ mental health. This study comprised two main objectives: (1) to explore older adults’ experiences of paternalistic behavior in the context of health services and (2) analyze the influence of paternalistic behavior on older adults’ mental health. Methods: The s…

  • Neglect in Older Adults: A Sociodemographic and Health Approach in the Portuguese Context

    Open AccessJoana Correia Jesus, Sofia Von Humboldt et al.ARTICLESocial Sciences2024References: 3

    Southern European countries have shown indicators of accelerated aging. In Portugal, a particularly worrying aspect of this reality lies in the relationship between the aging process and the incidence of violence in older adults, as the degree of dependence and/or health status becomes a significant risk factor for the occurrence of violence. The objectives of the present study were (1) to assess the risk of violence and indicators of neglect in …

  • What Really Matters in Old Age? A Study of Older Adults’ Perspectives on Challenging Old Age Representations

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Gail Low et al.ARTICLESocial Sciences2024Cited by: 1References: 3

    Aim: Older age is not a homogenous or stereotypical experience. Age-stereotypical representations can often be disconnected from older people’s own experiences. Challenging the status quo is relevant for aging well. The aim of this study is to analyze older adults’ perspectives on stereotypical versus their own age representations. Method: This qualitative study included a sample of 433 older adults who were 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85+ years of a…

  • Until Covid-19 Do Us Part”: A Qualitative Study on Perceived Sexual Intimacy and Mental Health in Heterosexual Older Couples During The Covid-19 Pandemic

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Gail Low et al.ARTICLESexuality & Culture2024References: 4

    This study aims to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on heterosexual older couples’ sexual intimacy and in relation to their mental health. A content analysis of the ideas and insights shared by 391 older persons (between 65 and 87 years of age) from three different countries was most instructive. The most frequent themes were less sexual satisfaction (68%) and less sexual desire (67%). In terms of mental health, the most frequent th…

  • Underneath the Sheets: A Cross-Cultural Cluster Analysis of Older Adults’ Patterns of Aging and Sexual Well-Being in Portugal and Mexico

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Neyda Ma Mendoza-Ruvalcaba et al.ARTICLESexuality & Culture2024Cited by: 1References: 7

    This study aims to assess the patterns of life satisfaction with life (SwL), sexual satisfaction, and adjustment to aging (AtA), of older adults in Mexico and Portugal. A sample of 658 older adults, aged 65 years-old and older, from Mexico and Portugal were recruited for this cross-cultural study. The following measures were applied: (a) Adjustment to Aging Scale (ATAS); (b) Satisfaction with Life Scale (SwLS); (c) New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (…

  • Sexual Well-Being Across the Lifespan: Is Sexual Satisfaction Related to Adjustment to Aging

    Open AccessIsabel Miguel, Sofia Von Humboldt et al.ARTICLESexuality Research and Social…2024Cited by: 4References: 2

    Introduction Sexual satisfaction is relevant to aging well, throughout the lifespan. This study aims to compare the perspectives of sexual satisfaction and adjustment to aging (AtA) in three age cohorts across the lifespan and to analyze whether sexual satisfaction influences the perceptions of AtA. Methods This cross-sectional study comprised 619 participants from three different age cohorts (18–44, 45–64, and 65 + years). Three measures were us…

  • Is age an issue? Psychosocial differences in perceived older workers’ work (un)adaptability, effectiveness, and workplace age discrimination

    Open AccessSofia Von Humboldt, Isabel Miguel et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2023

    The aging population in the developed world has implied increasing age diversity in the workforce of organizations. Consequently, mutual perceptions about one’s coworkers and age discrimination are becoming increasingly important. This study aims to explore how perceptions about older workers’ work (un)adaptability, work effectiveness, and workplace age discrimination vary according to participants’ psychosocial factors, such as age group, gender…

  • Psychotherapy in old age: Older adults’ sexual distress concerning their sexual well-being

    Sofia Von Humboldt, José Alberto Ribeiro-Gonçalves et al.ARTICLEEducational Gerontology2023

    Age and sexual difficulties show a relevant influence in older adults’ sexual well-being (SWB). The objective of this study was to assess sexual issues that affect SWB, revealed by older adults in person-centered therapy, using qualitative research. Interviews with 114 older participants, aged 65 to 82 years, living in the community were submitted to content analysis. Eight main themes emerged from the results of the content analysis: Partner una…

  • Suitability of the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form for Use among Adults in Their 50s: A Cross-Sectional e-Survey Study

    Open AccessGail Low, Alex Bacadini França et al.ARTICLEInternational Journal of…2023

    This cross-sectional e-survey study examines the suitability (reliability and validity) of the 12-item Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire Short Form (AAQ-SF) for use among adults in their 50s. The AAQ-SF instrument was originally designed to capture subjective perceptions of physical change, psychosocial loss, and psychological growth by asking people aged 60 and beyond how they feel about growing older. Our sample comprised 517 people residing in …