Midlife Adjustment and Quality of Life among Consecrated Women Religious in Kenya

Background: Midlife is a critical developmental stage characterized by biological, psychological, social, and vocational changes that may influence individuals' quality of life. Although Consecrated Women Religious experience these transitions within structured spiritual and communal environments, empirical evidence on their midlife adjustment and quality of life remains limited, particularly in Kenya. Aim: This study examined the relationship between midlife adjustment and quality of life among middle-aged Consecrated Women Religious in the Western Deanery of the Archdiocese of Nairobi. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data were collected from 212 middle-aged Consecrated Women Religious using structured questionnaires measuring midlife adjustment and quality of life. Descriptive statistics summarized respondent characteristics and study variables, while Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses examined the relationship between midlife adjustment and quality of life. Results: Most respondents reported moderate midlife adjustment (56.6%), with occupational adjustment recording the highest mean among the adjustment domains. Overall quality of life was moderate to high (M = 3.61, SD = 0.34), with psychological health scoring highest. Midlife adjustment was positively and significantly associated with quality of life (r = .608, p < .001) and significantly predicted quality of life, explaining 37.0% of its variance (R² = .370). Conclusion: Enhancing psychological adaptation, emotional resilience, and vocational support may strengthen quality of life among Consecrated Women Religious experiencing midlife transitions.

Midlife adjustment, quality of life, Consecrated Women Religious

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