Psychological coping mechanisms and social connectedness are critical determinants of healthy aging, particularly in South Asian societies where demographic aging is accelerating and institutional elder-care systems remain unevenly developed. This study examines coping capability frameworks and social adaptation trends among older adults in the South Asian region through an analytical synthesis of psychological, sociotechnical, and adaptive systems perspectives. The research is grounded in emotion regulation theory, hedonic adaptation principles, and computational models of adaptive behavior, integrating insights from emotion science and systems engineering literature to conceptualize coping as a multi-layered adaptive process.

Findings indicate that psychological coping in older adults is not a static trait but a dynamic regulatory system influenced by social connectedness, perceived autonomy, and environmental responsiveness. Emotional regulation models emphasize appraisal-based adaptation mechanisms that shape how individuals respond to stressors, while hedonic adaptation theory explains the gradual recalibration of emotional baselines following adversity or change (Frederick & Loewenstein, 2003). Empirical insights from stress resilience studies further demonstrate that psychosocial adjustment is significantly mediated by community integration and perceived social support structures (Agarwal, R., Usha Rani, B., & V, S., 2023).

Additionally, computational emotion frameworks highlight that coping processes can be modeled as adaptive feedback systems that continuously evaluate environmental stimuli and internal emotional states (Gratch & Marsella, 2004). In South Asian contexts, these mechanisms are strongly shaped by intergenerational household structures, cultural expectations of elder respect, and variable access to healthcare and digital communication platforms. The analysis further identifies that social connectedness operates as both a protective factor and a behavioral regulator influencing resilience trajectories.

The study concludes that psychological coping and social adaptation in older adults should be conceptualized through integrated socio-emotional and systems-based models rather than isolated psychological constructs. Such an approach enables a more comprehensive understanding of aging populations in South Asia, where cultural and infrastructural factors jointly shape adaptive capacity. The findings contribute to gerontological psychology, social policy design, and adaptive systems modeling for aging societies.