The mechanisms underlying the negative effect of depression on life satisfaction among the elderly: the roles of ostracism and economic income

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Lei Shao ◽  
Guoliang Yu ◽  
Denghao Zhang

ABSTRACT Objectives: Depression is prevalent among older persons, which seriously threatens their life satisfaction. This study aimed to explore the internal mechanisms by which depression influences life satisfaction among the elderly, as well as the mediating and moderating effects of ostracism and economic income, respectively, in a sample of rural older adults across China. Design: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted as part of the project “Thousands of People and Hundreds of Villages (2019).” Setting: Participants were rural older adults from 31 provincial-level administrative units across China. Participants: The sample composed of 1,754 participants aged 60 years and over. Measurements: Depression was assessed with the depression subscale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, life satisfaction with the Satisfaction with Life Scale, ostracism with the Ostracism Experience Scale (OES), and economic income and other control variables with related demographic scales. Moderation and mediation analyses were performed using the regression-based approach as conducted by Hayes (2013). Results: Depression negatively predicted life satisfaction among the elderly. Ostracism played a partially mediating role between depression and life satisfaction. Economic income moderated the effect of depression and ostracism on life satisfaction: High economic income weakened the negative effect of depression on life satisfaction and enhanced the negative effect of ostracism on life satisfaction. Conclusion: Improving depressed elderly people’s interpersonal relationships and financial support could improve their life satisfaction.

Author(s):  
Darío Moreno-Agostino ◽  
Francisco José Abad ◽  
Francisco Félix Caballero

AbstractPrevious research on health and life satisfaction in older adults has suggested a bidirectional relationship. However, most evidence either is based on cross-sectional data, being unsuitable for inferring any directionality on the results, or disregards the within-person stability of both variables over time, thus providing potentially biased results. We analysed data from 11,667 older adults interviewed between 2008 and 2016 within the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. A health measure including self-reported and measured tests on cognitive and physical performance was computed using a Bayesian multilevel item-response theory approach. Life satisfaction was assessed with the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Cross-lagged models using a Structural Equation Modelling approach were used to analyse the longitudinal interrelation between health and life satisfaction. Models accounting and not accounting for the within-person stability in the measures were computed. Additional sensitivity models were ran using an exclusively self-reported measure of health. Health and life satisfaction were significant longitudinal predictors of one another only when the within-person stability was not considered. The effect of life satisfaction on health became negligible once that stability was modelled. The impact of not accounting for within-person stability was larger when health was measured exclusively with self-reported information. Our study suggests that health and life satisfaction are not bidirectionally related in older adults, but only health predicts a better life satisfaction over time. Thus, policies aimed at fostering older adults’ life satisfaction by focusing on health enhancement and maintenance may be fruitful, whereas the opposite may not.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 329-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Restria Fauziana ◽  
Rajeswari Sambasivam ◽  
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar ◽  
Edimansyah Abdin ◽  
Hui Lin Ong ◽  
...  

Background: Satisfaction with life is recognized to be a factor in alleviating burden in stressful caregiving duties. However, the mechanism underlying this relationship is indistinct. Positive aspects of caregiving (PAC) may help to regulate caregiving burden among caregivers of older adults. The study aims to examine whether positive caregiving characteristics mediate the effect between satisfaction with life and burden of care. Methods: Participants were 285 caregivers of older adults (aged 60 and above) in Singapore and were recruited in a cross-sectional, self-report study (mean [M] = 47.0 years; 64.6% females). Measures included in the study were the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Positive Aspects of Caregiving (PAC), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Mediation analyses were used to study the indirect effects of life satisfaction on caregiver burden through features of PAC. Results: Mean scores for the ZBI, PAC, and SWLS scales were M = 23.15 (standard deviation [SD] = 15.98), M = 34.55 (SD = 8.19), and M = 23.56 (SD = 6.62) respectively. Results from the mediation analysis revealed that the association between life satisfaction and caregiving burden was significantly mediated by the PAC ( P < .001). Discussion: Positive aspects of caregiving may be a mechanism that links satisfaction with life and caregiver burden. Findings may represent attempts to manage caregiving duties as well as maintaining a positive attitude toward their responsibilities.


2020 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2092621
Author(s):  
Mengting Li ◽  
Yaling Luo ◽  
Penghui Li

Intergenerational solidarity plays a significant role in older adults’ psychological well-being, but it remains unclear whether the influence would vary by distance. This study aims to examine the moderating role of geographical proximity between intergenerational solidarity and life satisfaction. We interviewed 1,015 rural older adults in Sichuan, China. Life satisfaction was measured by Satisfaction with Life Scale. Five of the six dimensions of intergenerational solidarity were assessed: structural (geographical proximity), associational (contact frequency), functional (support exchange), affectual (emotional closeness), and normative (filial obligation). Multiple regression with interaction term was used. We found the effect of intergenerational solidarity (except associational solidarity) on life satisfaction was strongest for older adults with children living in the same city. Gender differences existed in the moderating effect of parent–child distance on the relationship between intergenerational solidarity and life satisfaction. Social services could focus on older adults with interprovincial migrant children and protect their well-being.


2019 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Li ◽  
Le Cai ◽  
Wen-long Cui ◽  
Xu-ming Wang ◽  
Hui-fang Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background This study estimates the prevalence of five chronic non-communicable disease (NCDs) (hypertension, diabetes, CHD, COPD and stroke) and its multimorbidity, and examines the relationship between SES and lifestyle factors and multimorbidity among older adults in rural southwest China. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 4833 consenting adults aged ≥60 years was conducted in 2017. Data on the demographics, smoking, drinking, height, weight, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were collected. Results Among the participants, the overall prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, COPD and CHD was 50.6, 10.2, 6.4, 5.4 and 5.5%, respectively, and of multimorbidity was 16.1%. Females had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and multimorbidity of chronic NCDs, but a lower prevalence of COPD than males (P &lt; 0.05). Older adults with good household assets and access to medical services were less likely to experience multimorbidity, whereas obese and centrally obese participants, current smokers, current drinkers and those with a family history of chronic NCDs had a greater probability of multimorbidity. Conclusions The findings suggest that effective strategies for prevention and control of chronic NCDs and its multimorbidity are urgently needed, especially for low-income, elderly, ethnic minority adults with poor access to medical services.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Marie Baeriswyl ◽  
Michel Oris

Abstract This paper examines the associations between social participation and individual life satisfaction among older adults. It specifically considers the diversity of the practices and social inequalities among this population. For analyses, we used a large survey of individuals of 65 years and older conducted in 2011 in Switzerland (N = 2,727). The first set of linear regression analyses examines Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale and its association with various indicators of social participation. While the second set of logistic regression addresses the issue of social inequalities by evaluating the impacts of gender, age group, region and education on social participation indicators that are significantly associated with the satisfaction with life score. Our results stressed the importance of combining multiple forms of participation for life satisfaction and shows that some forms are particularly meaningful: in particular, the involvement in associations, visitation of family or visitation of friends/acquaintances and church attendance. When inequalities among older adults are considered, having rich and varied social participation, being involved in associations and maintaining private sociability with non-kin appear more elitist. While institutionalised and/or private sociability types of participation appear particularly significant for older adults’ life satisfaction, the most traditional integration forms – i.e. family and religions – are crucial for the more vulnerable. Implications for active ageing was equally discussed as well.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 78-78
Author(s):  
Desiree Rachel Azizoddin ◽  
Andrea Catherine Enzinger ◽  
Alexi A. Wright ◽  
Miryam Yusufov ◽  
Fangxin Hong ◽  
...  

78 Background: Cancer patients are increasingly using medical marijuana (MM) to manage symptoms and treatment side effects. Although cancer disproportionately affects the elderly, little is known about oncologists’ attitudes toward MM in this population. We surveyed US oncologists’ beliefs about the benefits of MM for older adults, and examined their associations with oncologists’ perceptions of MM efficacy and safety. Methods: 232 out of 400 randomly selected U.S. oncologists (63% response rate) completed a cross-sectional survey about their beliefs and recommendations regarding MM for cancer patients. Using Chi-square tests, we examined associations between oncologists’ demographics, their perceptions of geriatric MM use, as well as beliefs about comparative effectiveness of MM for cancer related symptoms, and comparative risks of MM to prescription opioids. Results: Among 232 oncologists included in this cohort, 109 (47.0%) reported that MM had at least some benefit for elderly cancer patients, 66 (28.4%) responded it was rarely or never beneficial, and 57 (24.6%) reported not knowing. There were no significant associations between oncologists’ beliefs about MM’s benefit for older adults and their sociodemographic characteristics. Those who believed MM was beneficial for the elderly were significantly more likely to report that MM was at least as effective as standard treatments for the following indications: coping (58.3% vs. 26.6%), appetite (83.3% vs 58.5%), depression (46.3% vs 25.0%), and nausea (66.7% vs 33.9%), respectively ( p < 0.001). In contrast, oncologists’ beliefs about MM for the elderly were not significantly associated with perceptions of the comparative risks of MM ( p > 0.05). Conclusions: In this nationally-representative sample of US oncologists, about half thought MM was beneficial for older adults with cancer. Oncologists’ support of MM for older adults was associated with perceptions of MM’s efficacy but was not associated with perceptions of MM’s risks. More research is needed regarding the safety and efficacy of MM to guide oncologists’ recommendations about its use in older adults.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-491
Author(s):  
Uzma Zahid

The aim of this study was to assess career aspiration and its three subscales (leadership, achievement, educational) and their relationship with life-satisfaction in final year medical school students of both genders. This cross-sectional study was carried out in final year students of a medical college in Rawalpindi,Pakistan using 24 items revised English Version of Career Aspiration Scale (CAS) and 5 items Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). This study was conducted on total 88 final year medical school students, among them 44 were males and 44 were females. Findings show significant correlation of career aspiration with lifesatisfaction, as well as of its educational subscale and life satisfaction. There was a non-significant correlation of achievement and leadership subscales of career aspiration with life-satisfaction. Medical students who are more aspired towards their career seem to be more satisfied in their life. Moreover, medical students were more interested in getting more and more education but there is lack of aptitude towards achievement and leadership, signifying the need of mentoring amongst medical students. Practical steps should be taken to develop achievement and leadership aspects of medical students, which can ultimately enhance their career aspirations.


Author(s):  
Patrik Hellström ◽  
Kristofer Årestedt ◽  
Johan Israelsson

Abstract Background Self-reported health and life satisfaction are considered important outcomes in people surviving cardiac arrest. However, most previous studies have reported limited aspects on health, often based on composite scores, and few studies have focused on life satisfaction. Investigating health aspects with a broad and detailed perspective is important to increase the knowledge of life after cardiac arrest from the perspective of survivors. In addition, the knowledge of potential differences in health among survivors related to place of arrest (in-hospital cardiac arrest; IHCA or out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; OHCA) is scarce. The aim was to describe and compare self-reported health and life satisfaction in IHCA and OHCA survivors.  Methods This observational cross-sectional study included adult cardiac arrest survivors six months after resuscitation, treated at five Swedish hospitals between 2013 and 2018. Participants received a study specific questionnaire including Health Index (HI), EQ-5D 5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L), Minimal Insomnia Sleeping Scale (MISS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). In order to present characteristics descriptive statistics were applied. The Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test or Fishers’ exact test were used to compare differences in self-reported health and life satisfaction between in-hospital- and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survivors Results In total, 212 survivors participated. Based on scale scores and general measures, the median scores of health and life satisfaction among survivors were high: HI total = 29, EQ VAS = 80, and SWLS = 20. According to HI, most problems were reported for tiredness (37.3 %) and strength (26.4 %), while pain/discomfort (57.5 %) and anxiety/depression (42.5 %) where most common according to EQ-5D-5L. Except for EQ-5D-5L mobility (p = 0.023), MSPSS significant other (p = 0.036), and MSPSS family (p = 0.043), no health differences in relation to place of arrest were identified. Conclusions Although general health and life satisfaction were good among cardiac arrest survivors, several prevalent health problems were reported regardless of place of arrest. To achieve an improved understanding of health in cardiac arrest survivors, it is important to assess specific symptoms as a complement to composite scores of general, physical, emotional, and social health.


Author(s):  
Meijun Chen ◽  
Xiaoqi Wang ◽  
Qingping Yun ◽  
Yuting Lin ◽  
Qingqing Wu ◽  
...  

During the post-COVID-19 era, preventive practices, such as washing hands and wearing a mask, remain key measures for controlling the spread of infection for older adults. This study investigated the status of preventive practices among older adults and identified the related influencing factors. Participants who were ≥60 years old were recruited nationwide. Data were collected through self-designed questionnaires, including demographic variables, knowledge, perceived vulnerability, response efficacy, anxiety and preventive practices. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were performed. Hierarchical logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictors. A total of 2996 participants completed this study. Of them, 2358 (78.7%) participants reported washing hands regularly in the last two weeks, and 1699 (56.7%) always wore masks outside this year. Knowledge (hand washing: OR = 1.09, p < 0.01; mask wearing: OR = 1.17, p < 0.01) and response efficacy (hand washing: OR = 1.61, p < 0.01; mask wearing: OR = 1.70, p < 0.01) were positively associated with preventive practices, whereas perceived vulnerability had a negative effect (hand washing: OR = 0.54, p < 0.01; mask wearing: OR = 0.72, p < 0.01). Knowledge, response efficacy and perceived vulnerability were found to be significant predictors of the preventive practice among older adults in the post-COVID-19 era. This study provides new insights into preventive suggestions after the peak of the pandemic and also has significant implications in improving the life quality of older adults.


2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 318
Author(s):  
Hatice Kumcağız

<p>The study aims at examining whether life satisfaction of pregnant women is predicted by their stress coping styles, being understood/not understood by their husbands, and intentional/unintentional conception. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 260 pregnant women living in two districts of Province Samsun who had self-reportedly no psychiatric problems. Data collection tools used in the study include a personal information form to determine sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women, the Ways of Coping Questionnaire to determine stress coping styles, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale to determine level of life satisfaction. As the assumption of normality was not met (p&lt;0.05), the use of non-parametric tests was considered necessary; and thus the study used Spearman's rank correlation coefficient to find the relationship between two variables, and the Mann–Whitney U test to test whether there is a significant difference between two variables. A significant negative correlation was found between life satisfaction and submissive and helpless coping styles which are the subscales of the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The study found that life satisfaction of pregnant women was predicted by their stress coping styles, being understood/not understood by their husbands, and intentional/unintentional conception.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Özet</strong></p><p>Bu araştırmanın amacı gebelerin stresle baş etme tarzlarının, eşleri tarafından anlaşılma /anlaşılmama ve isteyerek gebe kalma/kalmama gibi durumların yaşam doyumlarını ne ölçüde yordadığını belirlemektir. Araştırma kesitsel tipte tarama modelinde desenlenmiştir. Araştırmanın verileri Samsun ilinin iki ilçesinde yaşayan, kendi ifadesine göre herhangi bir psikiyatrik sorunu olmayan 260 gebeden toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde tanımlayıcı istatistiksel yöntemler kullanılmıştır. Verilerin değerlendirilmesinde (p&lt;0.05) normallik şartı sağlanmadığı için parametrik olmayan testlerden; iki değişken arasındaki ilişkiyi bulabilmek için Spearman Brown Sıra Farkları korelasyon testi ve iki durum arasında anlamlı fark olup olmadığını test etmek için de Mann-Whitney U testi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgulara göre, stresle başa çıkma tarzları ölçeğinin alt boyutlarından çaresiz yaklaşım ve boyun eğici yaklaşım ile yaşam doyumu arasında negatif yönde anlamlı düzeyde yordamaktadır. Araştırma bulguları ilgili literatür eşliğinde tartışılmış ve daha sonra gerçekleştirilecek araştırmalara yönelik öneriler geliştirilmiştir.</p>


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