Living arrangement and life satisfaction in older Malaysians: the mediating role of social support function.

Hadi Kooshiar,Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah,Nurizan Yahaya,Vajiheh Sedaghat Jou,Tengku Aizan Hamid,Rodrigo Huerta-Quintanilla

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0043125

Hadi Kooshiar, Asnarulkhadi Abu Samah + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043125

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Abstract

BackgroundThis cross-sectional and correlational survey examines the association between different types of living arrangements and life satisfaction in older Malaysians, while taking into account the mediating effects of social support function.Methodology and FindingsA total of 1880 of older adults were selected by multistage stratified sampling. Life satisfaction and social support were measured with the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. The result shows living with children as the commonest type of living arrangement for older adults in peninsular Malaysia. Compared to living alone, living only with a spouse especially and then co-residency with children were both associated with better life satisfaction (p<.01) and social support function (p<.01). The mediating effect of social support function enhanced the relation between living arrangements and life satisfaction.ConclusionThis study revealed that types of living arrangement directly, and indirectly through social support function, play an important role in predicting life satisfaction for older adults in Malaysia. This study makes remarkable contributions to the Convoy model in older Malaysians.

Highlights

As in other countries, the number and proportion of older segments of the population affect Malaysia, and cause concern [1,2]
This study revealed that types of living arrangement directly, and indirectly through social support function, play an important role in predicting life satisfaction for older adults in Malaysia
Descriptive analysis was conducted for socio-demographic variables, Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS), and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) scales

Summary

Introduction

The number and proportion of older segments of the population affect Malaysia, and cause concern [1,2]. The increasing numbers of older adults come with a challenge to maintain and promote life satisfaction. Prior theories and evidence have demonstrated direct and indirect associations between types of living arrangements and the life satisfaction of older adults [3,4,5]. Other studies showed that life satisfaction was not essentially enhanced by interpersonal interactions [16]. This cross-sectional and correlational survey examines the association between different types of living arrangements and life satisfaction in older Malaysians, while taking into account the mediating effects of social support function

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion