The Importance of Physical Appearance during the Ageing Process in Spain. Interrelation between Body and Life Satisfaction during Maturity and the Old Age

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present paper is aimed at investigating the levels of body and life satisfaction in healthy individuals over the age of 50 living in Spain. The main purpose of the research is to determine whether the concern about the physical appearance is strongly related to life satisfaction in mature and old individuals, as it may be observed in younger individuals. Gender, age, coexistence environment and the presence or absence of a partner are relevant variables taken into account for body and life satisfaction. Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), adapted to Spanish and validated according to the Spanish population, and Corporal Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSC) are used to measure body satisfaction; similarly, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSV) was employed to assess life satisfaction. Results show that body and life satisfaction have a significant correlation. Nevertheless, over the age of 65 years there is a significant decrease only in body satisfaction, regardless of gender, environment and the presence or absence of a partner.