The Role of Optimism on the Relationship Between Activity Limitations and Life Satisfaction Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the United States: A Growth Curve Model of Changes Over Time

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482110566
Author(s):  
Kent Jason Go Cheng ◽  
Darcy Jones (DJ) McMaughan ◽  
Matthew Lee Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Growth Curve ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Activity Limitations ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

Activity limitations can diminish life satisfaction. This study explored the role of optimism on the relationship between changes in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) limitations and life satisfaction over time among middle-aged and older adults. Growth curve modeling accounting for intra- and inter-individual changes in life satisfaction was applied to the 2008–2018 waves of the Health and Retirement Study Leave Behind Survey subsample ( n = 39,122 person-years). After controlling for sociodemographic factors, physical functioning decline adversely affected life satisfaction ( βADL = −0.12, βIADL = −0.13, p < 0.001), but the negative consequences reduced slightly through optimism ( βADL = −0.11, βIADL = −0.12, βoptimism = 0.47, p < 0.001). Increasing optimism could reduce the negative consequences of ADL/IADL limitations on life satisfaction among middle-aged to older adults.

The effects of following celebrities’ lives via SNSs on life satisfaction: The palliative function of system justification and the moderating role of materialism

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 3479-3497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihye Seo ◽  
Ki Deuk Hyun
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Relative Deprivation ◽  
System Justification ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Materialistic Values ◽  
The Relationship

Social media increases opportunities to glimpse celebrities’ glamorous lifestyles and to interact with celebrities. This study examines how the use of social networking sites (SNSs) for celebrity-related information and interactions influences users’ life satisfaction. Data analysis demonstrates that celebrity-related SNS activities decrease users’ life satisfaction by increasing relative deprivation through comparison with celebrities. However, the comparison also leads to system justification, serving a palliative function to cope with the potentially negative consequences of such comparisons, which in turn increases life satisfaction. Interestingly, materialism moderates the relationship such that the effects of comparison with celebrities on system justification are observed only among SNS users who hold high materialism values. Also, the direct positive effects of celebrity-related SNS use on life satisfaction are stronger for those with high materialistic values than for those with low materialistic values. The multifaceted functions of celebrity-related SNS activities for life satisfaction are discussed.

Who We Live With and How We Are Feeling: A Study of Household Living Arrangements and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults in China

2020 ◽  
pp. 016402752096154
Author(s):  
Wen-Jui Han ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Cliff Whetung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Adult Health ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Relationship

Using a sample of Chinese adults over the age of 50 from wave 1 of the WHO Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (n = 13,367), we investigated the relationship between living arrangements and subjective well-being (SWB) in regard to life satisfaction, happiness, and control. We also looked at the moderating role of resources, proxied by income and hukou status. Multivariate regression results indicate that living only with a spouse was significantly associated with better SWB. Multigenerational living arrangements may not always promote SWB, particularly when resources are constrained. Yet, results also underscore the importance of daughters and daughters-in-law in promoting SWB among older adults. Older adults in rural areas had better SWB, including greater life satisfaction if living with grandchildren only, compared to their urban peers living with a spouse only. Findings suggest that context matters in the association between living arrangements and older adults’ SWB.

scholarly journals The Mediating Role of Optimism on the Relationship of Activities of Daily Living and Well-Being Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 485-485
Author(s):  
Kent Jason Cheng ◽  
Darcy McMaughan ◽  
Matthew Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Growth Curve Modelling

Abstract Limitations on activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) can be deleterious to an older person’s life satisfaction and overall feelings of wellbeing. This study explored the possible mediating role of optimism on relationship between changes in ADL/IADL and life satisfaction over time. Using 2006-2016 data from the Health and Retirement Study (n=11,869), growth curve modelling was used to account for intra-individual and inter-individual changes in life satisfaction trajectories. All models controlled for age, sex, marital status, years of education, self-rated health, labor force status, log of household income, and attrition. In the baseline model without optimism and with all controls, coefficients for ADL (Beta=-0.13, P&lt;0.01) and IADL (Beta=-0.12, P&lt;0.01) were negatively significantly associated with life satisfaction. When optimism was introduced to the model, coefficients for both ADL and IADL increased by 0.01 and remained statistically significant, which suggests some mediating effects. When interaction terms between ADL/IADL and optimism were introduced, coefficients for ADL and IADL became statistically insignificant. However, the interaction between ADL and optimism (Beta=-0.02, P&lt;0.05) was negatively significantly associated with life satisfaction. Findings suggest that optimism may protect against the negative impact of ADL/ IADL on life satisfaction. While changes in physical functioning and mobility may influence mental health status (e.g., depression, feelings of isolation), such consequences are not inevitable. Efforts are needed to highlight the positive aspects of aging and opportunities for life enrichment to increase morale and optimism among older adults.

scholarly journals Relationships between forgiveness, life satisfaction, and empathy in honorary blood donors. The mediating role of forgiveness

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-378
Author(s):  
Paweł Kosowski
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Blood Donors ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Blood Donation ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: Voluntary blood donation can be considered as an expression of pro-social behaviour, resulting from empathetic motives and a desire to help those in need of a transfusion of whole blood or it’s components, as it was demonstrated by numerous studies. The process of donation is carried out in accordance with the prescribed stages, which include the initial qualification and examination of the blood and exclusion of any diseases or postoperative complications that may have negative consequences for the future recipient. In view of the current trend in psychological research in the group of blood donors, we decided to examine the factors that may coexist and enhance empathy in this group, these factors being the disposition to forgiveness and satisfaction with life. Method: Main purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between life satisfaction, disposition to forgiveness, and empathy quotient, the level of explanation of empathy by life satisfaction and forgiveness, and the mediating role of forgiveness between life satisfaction and empathy in a group of honorary blood donors. The study group amounted to 111 subjects (72 women and 39 men). The mean age of the subjects was 24.9 years (SD=8.7). The study variables were measured using the scales: SWLS, HFS and SSIE. Results: The results of the conducted study showed associations between forgiveness and empathy and life satisfaction, and a satisfactory level of explanation of empathy by forgiveness (with a higher proportion of positive forgiveness) and life satisfaction. Mediation analysis also showed that forgiveness indirectly explains the relationship of life satisfaction and empathy. The correlation of blood donation seniority with life satisfaction and general and negative forgiveness was also found to be significant. Conclusions: The results of the conducted study can be considered as a contribution to further, more extensive research within the group of honorary blood donors. The results were confirmed in the literature, indicating a strong relationship between forgiveness and empathy, which may constitute a basis for the conclusion that forgiveness and life satisfaction resulting from longer length of blood donation may strengthen the level of empathy, as well as empathy itself may strengthen the level of forgiveness and life satisfaction.

Does Gender Moderate the Relationship Between Social Capital and Life Satisfaction? Evidence From Urban China

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 740-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Lu ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Vivian W. Q. Lou ◽  
Yue Zeng ◽  
Meng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Helping Others ◽  
Suzhou City ◽  
Quota Sampling ◽  
The Relationship

The present study aimed to test the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between social capital and life satisfaction among older adults in urban China. A quota sampling method was used to select 456 older adults aged 60 and older from 16 local communities in Suzhou city in 2015. Hierarchical multiple regression was employed to test the proposed models. The associations between family social capital and life satisfaction were higher among older men than women. Trust and helping others were stronger predictors of older women’s life satisfaction than their male counterparts. Citizenship activities affected life satisfaction among older men only. The findings highlight the important role of social capital in sustaining and/or improving life satisfaction among both older women and men. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.

scholarly journals The Mediating Role of Vision in the Relationship between Proprioception and Postural Control in Older Adults, as Compared to Teenagers and Younger and Middle-Aged Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Ainhoa Nieto-Guisado ◽  
Monica Solana-Tramunt ◽  
Adrià Marco-Ahulló ◽  
Marta Sevilla-Sánchez ◽  
Cristina Cabrejas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eyes Open ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study is to analyze the mediating role of vision in the relationship between conscious lower limb proprioception (dominant knee) and bipedal postural control (with eyes open and closed) in older adults, as compared with teenagers, younger adults and middle-aged adults. Methods: The sample consisted of 119 healthy, physically active participants. Postural control was assessed using the bipedal Romberg test with participants’ eyes open and closed on a force platform. Proprioception was measured through the ability to reposition the knee at 45°, measured with the Goniometer Pro application’s goniometer. Results: The results showed an indirect relationship between proprioception and postural control with closed eyes in all age groups; however, vision did not mediate this relationship. Conclusions: Older adults outperformed only teenagers on the balance test. The group of older adults was the only one that did not display differences with regard to certain variables when the test was done with open or closed eyes. It seems that age does not influence performance on proprioception tests. These findings help us to optimize the design of training programs for older adults and suggest that physical exercise is a protective factor against age-related decline.

scholarly journals Conceptions of Happiness Mediate the Relationship Between the Dark Triad and Well-Being

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Joshanloo
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dark Triad ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Adult Sample ◽  
Korean Adult ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

This study explored the associations between the Dark Triad traits (i.e., Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism) and mental well-being in a Korean adult sample (N = 1,177). The role of the conceptions of happiness as mediators of these associations was also investigated. Eight conceptions of happiness (e.g., fragility of happiness and eudaimonism), 3 dimensions of hedonic well-being (e.g., life satisfaction), and 2 dimensions of eudaimonic well-being (e.g., psychological well-being) were included in the study. The results showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were negatively and narcissism was positively associated with well-being. The pattern of associations between the dark triad and conceptions of happiness showed that Machiavellianism and psychopathy were associated with valuing personal happiness but also considering it to be out of one’s control, and to have negative consequences when achieved. People high on narcissism endorsed generally positive notions of happiness. Results showed that conceptions of happiness functioned as partial mediators in the relationships between the dark triad and well-being. Hence, it seems that the dark triad traits provide a context for the formation of certain beliefs surrounding the nature and value of well-being, which per se influence experienced levels of well-being.

Older adults' spirituality and life satisfaction: a longitudinal test of social support and sense of coherence as mediating mechanisms

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 1243-1262 ◽  
Author(s):  
SEAN COWLISHAW ◽  
SYLVIA NIELE ◽  
KAREN TESHUVA ◽  
COLETTE BROWNING ◽  
HAL KENDIG
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Successful Ageing ◽  
Positive Role ◽  
Over Time

ABSTRACTSpirituality is proposed to be a component of successful ageing and has been shown to predict wellbeing in old age. There has been conceptual discussion of possible mechanisms that link spirituality with positive psychological functioning in older adults, but few empirical examinations of these linking mechanisms over time. The current study examined the role of Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence (SOC) and social support in mediating the effects of spirituality on life satisfaction in older participants over a four-year period. The study used a cross-lagged panel analysis to evaluate longitudinal mediation within a path analysis framework. Results showed that the meaningfulness dimension of SOC mediated the influence of spirituality on life satisfaction over time, suggesting that spirituality may influence older adults' experience and perception of life events, leading to a more positive appraisal of these events as meaningful. Social support was not found to mediate the pathway between spirituality and life satisfaction. This study may be the first to examine the link between spirituality, sense of coherence, social support and wellbeing, as measured by life satisfaction, using longitudinal data from a community sample of older adults. The study provides evidence for the positive role of spirituality in the lives of older people. This is an area that requires further examination in models of successful ageing.

scholarly journals DEPENDENCY IN ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING: THE ROLE OF MULTIDIMENSIONAL FRAILTY AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S635-S636
Author(s):  
G A Rixt Zijlstra ◽  
Anne van der Vorst ◽  
Linda P M Op het Veld ◽  
Nico De Witte ◽  
Jos M G A Schols ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Older People ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Most older adults prefer to “age in place” and maintain independent regarding activities of daily living (ADL). Dependency in ADL might be caused by frailty. This study explored the relationship between multidimensional frailty and ADL dependency, and if protective factors, derived from a systematic literature review, moderate this relationship. A longitudinal study with a 24-month follow-up was performed among 1,027 community-dwelling older adults. Multidimensional frailty was assessed with the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, and ADL dependency with the Groningen Activity Restriction Scale. Other measures included socio-demographic characteristics and seven protective factors against ADL dependency, such as physical activity and non-smoking. Logistic regression analyses showed that frail older people had a twofold risk of developing ADL dependency in comparison to non-frail older people after 24 months (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.50-3.00). Analyses with interaction terms indicated that the selected protective factors against ADL dependency did not significantly moderate this relationship. Nonetheless, higher levels of physical activity and having sufficient financial resources decreased the risk of becoming ADL dependent in the overall sample (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.46-0.98 and OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.35-0.71, respectively). In conclusion, multidimensional frail older people are at higher risk of developing ADL dependency and the studied factors against ADL dependency did not significantly moderate this relationship. To develop prevention strategies for ADL dependency and facilitate aging in place, future studies might explore the relationship between each specific frailty domain and ADL dependency, and the role of (other) moderating factors.

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