Keyword: «gerontopsychology»

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of methodological approaches to the study of factors that ensure life satisfaction for older people. The necessity of integrating systemic, life and resource approaches in the development of empirical research design is substantiated. The criteria for sampling, procedures for selecting psychodiagnostic tools, and strategies for statistical data processing are described. Special attention is paid to the operationalization of key constructs: life satisfaction, time perspective, and perceived social support. The advantages and limitations of cross-sectional design, self-reporting techniques, and online data collection format are analyzed. Recommendations for improving the methodology through the use of longitudinal strategies, mixed methods and multilevel modeling are presented. The materials of the article can be used by researchers in the field of gerontopsychology and specialists developing psychological support programs for the elderly.