The importance of national levels of eudaimonic well-being to life satisfaction in old age: a global study

Mohsen Joshanloo; M. Joseph Sirgy; Joonha Park

doi:10.1007/s11136-018-1977-2

Self-compassion, Well-being and Health in Elderly: Are there Related?

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.01.1078 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. S648-S648 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Cunha ◽

L. Parente ◽

A. Galhardo ◽

M. Couto

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Physical Health ◽

Old Age ◽

Satisfaction With Life ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Major Advance ◽

Subjective Well Being ◽

Self Compassion

IntroductionThe increase in aging population is a major advance in society, but also a great challenge, imposing the need for actions that promote successful aging, with higher subjective well-being and better health.Objectives(1) analyse the possible influence of socio-demographic variables in self-compassion, satisfaction with life, affection, physical and mental health (study variables); (2) understand how is that the study variables are associated with each other in old age; and (3) explore which variables best predict satisfaction with life and health in the elderly.MethodThe study sample consists of 155 individuals, aged between 65 and 94 years old, institutionalised and non-institutionalised.Results(1) significant correlations were found between some demographic and the study variables. (2) Significant associations were also found between self-compassion, subjective well-being and health. (3) linear regression analysis revealed that physical health is best predicted by greater life satisfaction and lower age; mental health is best predicted by increased satisfaction with life, self-compassion and decreased negative affect; and, finally, life satisfaction is predicted by a higher physical health and self-compassion.ConclusionsThese results suggest the importance of developing psychological skills such as warmth, tolerance and the acceptance of suffering bearing in mind that the elderly may experience difficulties resulting from the developmental characteristics of old age. Our findings suggest the possible beneficial effect of compassion, focused therapies designed for this specific population, particularly contributing to the promotion of life satisfaction and mental health of the Portuguese elderly.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Download Full-text

Stability and change in well-being among middle-aged and older Japanese

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/0165025420914985 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (1) ◽

pp. 78-88

Author(s):

Takeshi Nakagawa ◽

Yukiko Nishita ◽

Chikako Tange ◽

Makiko Tomida ◽

Kaori Kinoshita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Old Age ◽

Middle Age ◽

Late Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

Prior evidence suggests that subjective well-being (SWB) remains relatively stable across adulthood. However, longitudinal evidence is sparse except in Western societies such as North America and Western Europe. We examined age-related changes in SWB (life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect) among middle-aged and older Japanese. We applied multilevel growth models to 14-year seven-wave longitudinal data of a dynamic cohort study. A total of 3,890 participants aged 40–81 at first assessment were included in the analysis. The longitudinal results demonstrated differential trajectories of SWB. Life satisfaction exhibited an accelerated increase in middle age but decreased and leveled off in old age. Positive affect increased in midlife and declined in late life. Negative affect remained stable in middle age but increased in old age. Demographics, health, and methodological correlates did not fully account for age-related changes in SWB. Of note, increases in negative affect in old age remained evident even after controlling for the correlates. In conclusion, life satisfaction was stable across adulthood, which was not the case with positive and negative affect. We discussed the possible mechanisms in these observed trajectories of SWB, in particular, negative affect in late life.

Download Full-text

Self-Transcendent Wisdom Mediates the Association Between Spirituality and Well-Being in Six Nations

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igab046.507 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 132-132

Author(s):

Monika Ardelt ◽

Juensung Kim ◽

Michel Ferrari

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Old Age ◽

Well Being ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Six Nations ◽

Transcendent Wisdom

Abstract Distraught individuals sometimes turn to religion for solace, particularly in old age, so spirituality is not necessarily positively related to well-being. However, spirituality might lead to greater well-being if it promotes self-transcendent wisdom. Using a sample of 307 respondents from six nations (USA, Canada, Serbia, Ukraine, Iran, and China), ranging in age from 59 to 99 years (M=73.00, SD=8.13), this study tested the generalizability of the hypothesized mediated pathway. Results showed only weak correlations between spirituality and well-being measures in the whole sample. Yet, as predicted, spirituality, mediated by self-transcendent wisdom, was indirectly related to greater well-being in all six nations, despite significant differences by nation in variable means. Spirituality had additional direct positive effects on life satisfaction in Canada, Iran, and China and on general well-being in Iran and China. These findings suggest that spirituality likely results in greater well-being when it transcends egocentric concerns.

Download Full-text

Old-Age Security Provision and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly in Nigeria

The Nigerian Journal of Sociology and Anthropology ◽

10.36108/njsa/3102/11(0220) ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Elias Olukorode Wahab

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Old Age ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Family Type ◽

Old Age Security ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Primary Responsibility ◽

The Family

How security provision impacts on life satisfaction at old age in Nigeria is not well understood. This has become essential in order to improve preparation for old age and to formulate comprehensive social security system for the elderly. Quantitative data was collected through individual-based questionnaire, involving 810 respondents. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select local government areas, enumeration areas and individuals for the study. Only about one-third of the respondents reported being satisfied with the old age security provisions. The level of education is statistically related to level of satisfaction with old age security provision; the elderly in extended families are more likely to report satisfaction with old age security provisions. Family type is somewhat statistically related to satisfaction with old age security provisions. This underscores the inadequacy of their income from pension. The idea that old-age security and well being in Nigeria should remain the primary responsibility of the family is untenable. Government must assume the primary responsibility in a partnership in which the family also continues to play a significant role.

Download Full-text

Bienestar emocional en la vejez avanzada: estudio comparativo por edad y género

Psychology Society & Education ◽

10.25115/psye.v5i1.495 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ana Belén Navarro ◽

Belén Bueno Martínez ◽

José Buz Delgado

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Old Age ◽

Positive Emotions ◽

Negative Emotions ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Emotional States ◽

Age And Gender ◽

Very Old ◽

And Gender

Resumen: En la vejez avanzada, los estados emocionales se convierten en el motivo más importante para mantener la satisfacción con la vida. En este estudio se ha examinado el papel de las emociones positivas y negativas sobre el juicio de satisfacción vital en la vejez avanzada, así como las diferencias de edad y género en una muestra de 400 personas muy mayores de Salamanca, con edades comprendidas entre los 75 y 104 años. Los resultados muestran una mayor frecuencia de emociones positivas, siendo las más frecuentes estar atento, sentirse activo y fuerte y, las menos frecuentes, estar entusiasmado e inspirado. Entre los sentimientos negativos más frecuentes destacan sentirse inquieto, expectante y nervioso, y como menos frecuentes sentirse culpable, hostil y avergonzado. Además, aparecen diferencias de edad (quienes tienen entre 75 y 84 años se sienten más activos, entusiasmados e inspirados) y de género (las mujeres muy mayores se sienten más inquietas, nerviosas, orgullosas, temerosas, asustadas y perturbadas). Por otra parte, el análisis de regresión múltiple pone de manifiesto que permanecer animado, alegre, vigilante y alerta frente a los sucesos resulta funcional en el mantenimiento de la satisfacción vital de las personas de 75 y más años. Estos resultados confirman que las emociones positivas son un recurso potencial para la resiliencia psicológica en la vejez avanzada. Emotional well-being in advanced old age: comparative study by age and gender Abstract: In very old age, emotional states become the most important reason to maintain life satisfaction. In this study we examined the role of positive and negative emotions on the judgment of life satisfaction in advanced old age and the age and gender differences in a sample of 400 elderly people of Salamanca, aged between 75 and 104. The results show a higher frequency of positive emotions than negative, with the most frequent of the former being attentive, active and strong, and the less frequent ones being excited and inspired. Among the more frequent negative emotions are feeling jittery, nervous and alert, and the less frequent ones are feeling guilty, hostile and ashamed. In addition, there are differences in terms of both age (people aged between 75 and 84 are more active, enthusiastic and inspired) and gender (very old women are more jittery, nervous, proud, afraid, scared and upset). Moreover, multiple regression analysis showed that remaining lively, happy, interested and alert to events is essential for maintaining the life satisfaction of people aged over 75. These results confirm that positive emotions are a potential resource for psychological resilience in advanced old age.

Download Full-text

Cognition–Well-Being Relations in Old Age

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000131 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 123-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Markus Wettstein ◽

Hans-Werner Wahl ◽

Vera Heyl

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Old Age ◽

Visually Impaired ◽

Well Being ◽

Hearing Impaired ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Moderation Effect ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. We examine whether sensory impairment moderates the association between cognitive performance and well-being and, if so, whether such a moderation effect is due to a mediating mechanism via everyday competence in sensory-impaired individuals. Our sample consisted of visually-impaired (VI, n = 121), hearing-impaired (HI, n = 116), and sensory-unimpaired older adults (UI, n = 150), with a mean age of 82.50 years (SD = 4.71 years). Multiple measures of well-being (life satisfaction, affect, loneliness) as well as several established tests of cognitive performance were included. We found stronger relationships between cognitive performance and well-being in the HI and VI group than in UI individuals. Furthermore, the relationship was mostly mediated by everyday competence both in VI and HI older adults.

Download Full-text

Preparations for Old Age and Well-Being in Later Life in Thailand: Gender Matters?

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464816649281 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (6) ◽

pp. 783-810 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wiraporn Pothisiri ◽

Nekehia T. Quashie

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Old Age ◽

Social Stratification ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Later Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Interaction Effects ◽

Negative Interaction ◽

Term Care ◽

Socioeconomic Resources

Data from the 2011 Survey of Older Persons in Thailand examines the association between preparations for old age (financial, health, caregiving, living arrangements, and spiritual) and three measures of well-being: financial satisfaction, life satisfaction, and physical health. The study further explores the role of social stratification and the gendered nature of these relationships. The sample ( N = 10,235) is restricted to adults 60 years and above, who are retired and answered the survey independently. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicate that different forms of preparation are positively associated with post-retirement well-being for men and women but socioeconomic resources are positively associated with all three well-being outcomes. Furthermore, for women, there are significant negative interaction effects of income and financial preparation on life satisfaction, as well as negative interaction effects of disability and caregiver preparation on self-rated health. Implications for long-term care, socioeconomic inequality, and gender inequality in paid labor are discussed.

Download Full-text

Different Future Time Perspectives Interplay in Predicting Life Satisfaction

GeroPsych ◽

10.1024/1662-9647/a000192 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 103-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Minjie Lu ◽

Angel Y. Li ◽

Helene H. Fung ◽

Klaus Rothermund ◽

Frieder R. Lang

Keyword(s):

Life Satisfaction ◽

Time Perspective ◽

Well Being ◽

Future Time Perspective ◽

Hong Kong Chinese ◽

Future Time ◽

Time Perspectives ◽

Time Extension ◽

Future Self ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. This study addresses prior mixed findings on the relationship between future time perspective (FTP) and well-being as well as examines the associations between three aspects of FTP and life satisfaction in the health and friendship domains. 159 Germans, 97 US Americans, and 240 Hong Kong Chinese, aged 19–86 years, completed a survey on future self-views (valence) and life satisfaction. They also reported the extent to which they perceived future time as expanded vs. limited (time extension) and meaningful (openness). Findings revealed that individuals with more positive future self-views had higher satisfaction. However, those who perceived their future as more meaningful or perceived more time in their future reported higher satisfaction even when future self-views were less positive.

Download Full-text