Assess Life Satisfaction Research Articles

STUDI KUALITATIF KEPUASAN HIDUP PRIA TRANSGENDER (WARIA) DI BANDA ACEH

Transgender person is an individual who thinks and feels differently from the assigned gender; it is classified as a gender identity disorder; in this study context is a man who changed himself to be a woman. This uncommon behavior struggles for social acceptance in Indonesian society due to gender construction debate. This study aims to assess life satisfaction of male transvestite living in Kota Banda Aceh through understanding on the respondents’ life experiences. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used in this study. Respondents were collected using the snowball technique. Four men who changed to be women participated in this study. Subject I: 34 years old, has been living as a transgender for 13 years; Subject II: 24 years old, has been living as a transgender for 8 years; Subjek III: 27 years old, has been living as a transgender for 4 years; and Subject IV: 36 years old, has been living as a transgender for 12 tahun. The result showed that life satisfaction was achieved when subjects accepted their conditions and their success in changing their bodies to be women. Their life satisfaction was derived from social support given by other male transvestites and by their partners that fulfilled their needs to love and to be loved. The greatest obstacle they encountered was rejection from the society which increased their anxiety because they did not fulfilled social expectation to behave in accordance to their gender. They used religious practices to cope with this obstacle. Male transvestite achieved an optimum life satisfaction when they are able to accept their lives and receive social support from the society.

Using playfulness to cope with psychological stress: taking into account both positive and negative emotions

Playfulness increases positive emotions (PEs) and enhances psychological well-being. However, no studies have examined whether playfulness serves as a stress–coping resource, nor assessed both positive and negative emotions (NEs) as coping outcomes. The current study used the Process Model of Stress and Coping to examine whether playfulness helps university students cope with psychological stress. Both PE and NE were examined as immediate coping outcomes, assessing life satisfaction as a more comprehensive outcome. Using structural equation modeling to analyze the data, we found that heightened playfulness was associated with more PE, which led to greater life satisfaction. Heightened playfulness was also related to less NE, partially offsetting the adverse effects of stress. The results contribute to the leisure literature by showing the value of playfulness as a coping resource, the applicability of the Process Model of Stress and Coping, and the importance of examining both emotional and more comprehensive coping outcomes.

Assessment of Life Satisfaction among Physiotherapists from Selected Hospitals in South-Western Nigeria

Background: Life satisfaction of an individual is strongly associated with factors such as income, educational status, family and occupation. There is a dearth of studies on job and life satisfaction for physiotherapists, especially in Nigeria.Objective: This study assessed life satisfaction for physiotherapists from selected hospitals in South-Western Nigeria.Methods: Seventy-six physiotherapists from seven purposively selected hospitals who met the inclusion criteria responded to the study. The Life Satisfaction Scale Questionnaire (LSSQ) was used as the research instrument. The LSSQ is a two-section questionnaire. Section A comprises 6 items designed to assess demographic information of the respondents while section B consists of 29 items, designed to measure the life satisfaction of the respondents. The questions on perceived level of satisfaction in different domains are on a 7-point scale ranging from 7 (strongly agree) to 1 (strongly disagree) for each question. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: The response rate of the study was 80%. The mean total life satisfaction of the respondents was 151 – 180. There was a significant difference in total life satisfaction scores at p < 0.001 between the single and married respondents, first degree and postgraduates and between entry physiotherapist and senior physiotherapist. There was a significant association between level of life satisfaction and level of education, at p < .05. There also was a significant association, p < 001, between the level of life satisfaction and age, marital status and cadre.Conclusion: Life satisfaction of clinical physiotherapists in South-Western Nigeria was high and is associated with marital status, postgraduate qualification and in a higher professional cadre. This implies that physiotherapists in South-Western Nigeria are in a condition that promotes high productivity and efficiency and therefore physiotherapists are more likely to not migrate out of the country.

Well-being as outcome for health monitoring in environmental epidemiology

Aims and background: Well- being is a relatively new outcome related to health and diseases. Self-reported subjectives outcomes in well-being monitoring and research are based on the traditions of “hedonia” and “eudaimonia”. Hedonic approaches assess life satisfaction and affects; eudaimonic approaches assess and meaning and purpose in life. The aim of this review is to give account of identified self-report instruments with used in individuals aged >15. Methods: Systematic review of instruments used in original studies published in PubMed 2007-2012, evaluation of properties of instruments. Results: Following an evaluation of 1,321 papers, we identified 70 instruments. Domains in the instruments were: life satisfaction, positive affects, negative affects, health, activities / vitality, spirituality, and cognition. Number of items varied between 1 and 84; none of the instrument fulfilled all criteria. Conclusions: Well-being as outcome in environmental epidemiology should be monitored with validated instruments; and link subjective and objective indicators of well-being.

Quality of life and self-efficacy beliefs in young adults with cleft lip and palate

Abstract Background: The present study aims to determine quality of life and self-efficacy beliefs among young adults with cleft lip and palate (CLP), as compared with a control group of young adults without CLP. The study involves two groups of young adults: 48 with CLP and 48 presenting no disability. Methods: Two questionnaires (Quality of Life Questionnaire and How Much Confidence do I Have in Myself?) were used to assess life satisfaction and self-efficacy beliefs, respectively. Results: Participants with CLP reported greater quality of life than the participants in the control group, in terms of personal financial situation and self-determination opportunities. Moreover, men with CLP showed higher levels of confidence than women with CLP, and more than all the participants in the control group as a whole in terms of the ability to complete tasks and activities. Conclusions: Results suggest that people with CLP do not form a homogeneous category but are characterized by a high degree of variability. Further research is necessary to identify the dimensions and factors characterizing people with CLP as well as the health and social services needed to start using assessment instruments that can shed light on these individuals’ experiences.

Preliminary validation study of the Spanish version of the satisfaction with life scale in persons with multiple sclerosis

Purpose: To assess Life Satisfaction, using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and to analyze its psychometric properties in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method: Persons with MS (n = 84) recruited at the MS Centre of Catalonia (Spain) completed a battery of subjective assessments including the SWLS, the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument and disability module (WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-DIS) and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Depression (HADS-D); sociodemographic and disability status data were also gathered. Psychometric properties of the SWLS were investigated using standard psychometric methods. Results: Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient) was 0.84. A factor analysis using a principal components method showed a one factor structure accounting for 62.6% of the variance. Statistically significant correlations were confirmed between SWLS with WHOQOL-BREF, WHOQOL-DIS and HADS-D. SWLS scores were significantly different between a priori defined groups: probable depressed versus nondepressed and participants perceiving a mild versus severe impact of disability on their lives. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the psychometrics properties of the SWLS in persons with MS. It might be a valuable tool to use in appraising persons with MS through the continuum of care.Implications for RehabilitationThe Spanish version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is a reliable and valid instrument in Multiple Sclerosis (MS).The SWLS is able to discriminate between participants with low or high scores on depressive symptoms or disability impact on life.SWLS might be useful through the continuum of care in persons with MS, including Rehabilitation Services.

New Empirical Evidence on the Validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale in Early Adolescents

This paper presents new empirical evidence regarding the validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in a large sample of early adolescents. A group of 903 Spanish adolescents aged 12 to 14 years completed a battery of questionnaires in order to assess life satisfaction, emotional and behavioral problems, trait aggressiveness, peer aggression, stress, and parental style. A moderately high level of life satisfaction was reported and no differences were found according to sex or school year. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a one-factor structure for the SWLS. Correlation analysis showed that life satisfaction had a moderate positive correlation with parental affect, and negative correlations with externalizing and internalizing behaviors, aggression, stress, and parental criticism. Regression analysis revealed that early adolescents report greater life satisfaction when they perceive high levels of maternal affect and low levels of internalizing problems, hostility, stress, and parental criticism. These results show that the inclusion of intrapersonal and environmental variables can further our understanding of life satisfaction in early adolescents and suggest that intervention programs designed to promote this should consider these variables.

Satisfaction with Life Scale in a Representative Sample of Spanish Adults: Validation and Normative Data

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is a measure widely used to assess life satisfaction. This paper aims to test its psychometric properties, factor structure, and distribution scores across age, gender, education, and employment status. For this purpose, a representative sample of the Spanish population (N = 2,964) was used. Although analyses showed no significant differences across age or gender, participants with higher education level and those who held an occupation were more satisfied with their lives. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a unifactorial structure with significant correlations between the SWLS, and subjective happiness and social support. The internal consistency of the scale was .88. Thus, our results indicate that the Spanish version of the SWLS is a valid and reliable measure of life satisfaction within the Spanish context.

Work–family interface: Effect of enrichment and conflict on job performance of Korean workers

AbstractMany studies conducted in Western societies indicated that work–family enrichment (WFE) and conflict influence employees' work performance positively and/or negatively. However, few studies have been conducted in collectivist, rapidly growing societies like Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which those work–family interface variables influence the work performance of employees within the Korean organizational context. We performed forward and backward translation procedure to develop the Korean language versions of the WFE scale, work–family conflict (WFC) scale, and other scales assessing life satisfaction and job performance. Data were collected from a sample of 425 workers from various for-profit firms and universities in Korea. For data analysis, basic descriptive analyses, item reliability and construct validity tests, and a two-step structural equation modeling (SEM) approach were employed to identify influential relationships among WFE/WFC, life satisfaction, and job performance. Results indicated that WFE was a significant factor influencing Korean workers' life satisfaction (WLS) and job performance, whereas WFC was not. Implications of the study findings, including the strategies for improving employee well-being within the Korean cultural context, were presented.

Work–family interface: Effect of enrichment and conflict on job performance of Korean workers

AbstractMany studies conducted in Western societies indicated that work–family enrichment (WFE) and conflict influence employees' work performance positively and/or negatively. However, few studies have been conducted in collectivist, rapidly growing societies like Korea. The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which those work–family interface variables influence the work performance of employees within the Korean organizational context. We performed forward and backward translation procedure to develop the Korean language versions of the WFE scale, work–family conflict (WFC) scale, and other scales assessing life satisfaction and job performance. Data were collected from a sample of 425 workers from various for-profit firms and universities in Korea. For data analysis, basic descriptive analyses, item reliability and construct validity tests, and a two-step structural equation modeling (SEM) approach were employed to identify influential relationships among WFE/WFC, life satisfaction, and job performance. Results indicated that WFE was a significant factor influencing Korean workers' life satisfaction (WLS) and job performance, whereas WFC was not. Implications of the study findings, including the strategies for improving employee well-being within the Korean cultural context, were presented.

Factores asociados a satisfacción vital en una cohorte de adultos mayores de Santiago, Chile

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between life satisfaction and socioeconomic status and self-reported health in a cohort of older people in Santiago, Chile, in 2005 and 2006. MethodsWe interviewed 2002 individuals aged 65 to 67.9 years registered in 20 primary care centers in the city of Santiago. Participants were living independently with no cognitive impairment, suspected cancer or terminal diseases. We assessed life satisfaction using an abbreviated adaptation of a life satisfaction scale (scored from 0 to 11), and collected self-reported information on income, education, social support, and self-reported health and memory. We used a log-binomial model to analyze the association between life satisfaction scores (fourth quartile compared with the first) and socioeconomic and health variables. ResultsThere was a significant association (bivariate and multivariate analyses) between life satisfaction and income in men and with social support, self-reported health, memory, and diagnosis of joint problems, diabetes and hypertension in both sexes. ConclusionSocial support, income and health status were independently associated with life satisfaction in older people aged 65-67.9 years in Santiago. Further studies are required to assess the temporal direction of the effect and the implications of these findings for public health policies in this population.

Life satisfaction, loneliness and related factors during female midlife

BackgroundStudies assessing life satisfaction and feelings of loneliness in mid-aged women are scarce. ObjectiveTo assess loneliness, life satisfaction and related factors in mid-aged Spanish women. MethodThis was a cross sectional study in which 182 women aged 40 to 65 completed the menopause rating scale (MRS), the University of California at Los Angeles loneliness scale (UCLA-LS), the life satisfaction index A (LSI-A), and a general socio-demographic questionnaire containing personal/partner data. Internal consistency of each tool was also computed. ResultsMedian [interquartile range] age of the sample was 51 [9.0] years. A 55.5% were postmenopausal, 47.3% had increased body mass index (BMI) values, 57.7% were abdominally obese, 1.6% had hypertension and 86.3% had a stable partner. In addition, 4.9% used hormone therapy and 19.2% psychotropic drugs. Multiple linear regression analysis found that higher UCLA-LS scores (more loneliness) correlated with MRS psychological scores, partner alcohol abuse, living in urban areas, lower LSI-A scores (less life satisfaction) and not having a stable partner. Lower LSI-A scores (worse life satisfaction) correlated with severe female economical problems, BMI values and UCLA-LS and MRS psychological scores. ConclusionLoneliness and life satisfaction in this mid-aged female sample was influenced by personal and partner issues which seem to play a much more relevant role than biological aspects. More research is warranted in this regard.

Life satisfaction and environmental conditions: issues for policy

This paper investigates the relationship between pollution and life satisfaction in countries around the globe over recent decades. Our empirical model allows both per capita income and pollution to enter as arguments of a life satisfaction 'production function'. The results reveal that pollution has a negative marginal impact on the level of life satisfaction of citizens of countries - although this negative impact is reduced as these countries become more economically prosperous. We conclude that interactions between per capita income and pollution should be considered in empirical studies assessing life satisfaction.

From children to young adults: cystic fibrosis and siblingship A longitudinal study

To compare the results from our previous study in 1994/95 of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) at the age of 6-14 years and their healthy siblings with data from the same participants as young adults in regard to their self-esteem, life satisfaction and attitudes towards the CF siblingship situation. Thirty-seven sibling pairs participated. Three instruments were used: The 'As I see myself' self-evaluation questionnaire; the 'Ladder of life', assessing life satisfaction; and the 'Sibling Mirror', reflecting a person's feelings, when one's sibling or oneself has CF. Contrary to 1994/95 study results, the female participants showed no signs of impaired self-esteem. Concerning life satisfaction, women in both groups and the men with CF have lower ratings than a healthy reference group. Individuals with CF look upon themselves today as independent, thoughtful and mature, but remember themselves as being active, spoiled or fussy. Healthy siblings consider themselves diplomatic, responsible, mature, important and loyal but remember themselves as angry, envious and neglected. The self-esteem of women in the sibling pairs (whether with CF or healthy sisters) has improved since their childhood. Overall, the results indicate that young adults with CF today are medically well controlled and psychosocially well adapted, albeit aware of their precarious future.

Subjective Well-Being Structure: Confirmatory Factor Analysis in a Teachers’ Portuguese Sample

Authors consider that subjective well-being is a theoretical construct that includes three components: life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect. Despite the numerous studies already conducted, divergences remain concerning how to conceptualize these components within a global structure of subjective well-being. This study aims to examine the dimensionality of the subjective well-being construct. A set of self-report questionnaires was used to assess life satisfaction, positive and negative affect in 397 teachers of primary and high schools. A model of a tripartite structure was tested using a confirmatory factor analysis. The results corroborate the premise that subjective well-being is a multidimensional construct that incorporates three components: life satisfaction, positive affect and negative affect. Our findings reinforce the viewpoint that these three components are moderately correlated and relatively independent and also strengthen the need for a complete SWB assessment that includes adequate measures of all three components.

A Study of The Brief Multidimensional Students' life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) with Syrian Secondary and University Students

The Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) is a self-report measure developed to assess life satisfaction among students in five specific domains: family, friends, school, self, and daily life. The purpose of the current study was to develop an Arabic version of this measure and to investigate its psychometric properties with Syrian secondary students as well as university students. With a sample of (N=1604), several methods were used to estimate the reliability and validity of the measure. The results showed satisfactory test-retest reliability and internal consistency coefficients. Also, the results provided evidence for the convergent and divergent validity. Further evidence for the construct validity of the instrument was provided by studying the inter-correlations of its five subscales as well as the correlations of these subscales with the subscales of the entire instrument. At the same time, validity was supported by the correlations of the five subscales with achievement. In sum, the findings of this study show that the psychometric properties obtained from administering the instrument to a sample of secondary school and university students meets acceptable levels. Recommendations were made to conduct further psychometric studies upon the Arabic version of BMSLSS and to administer this version in cross- cultural studies.

A Study of The Brief Multidimensional Students' life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) with Syrian Secondary and University Students

The Brief Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (BMSLSS) is a self-report measure developed to assess life satisfaction among students in five specific domains: family, friends, school, self, and daily life. The purpose of the current study was to develop an Arabic version of this measure and to investigate its psychometric properties with Syrian secondary students as well as university students. With a sample of (N=1604), several methods were used to estimate the reliability and validity of the measure. The results showed satisfactory test-retest reliability and internal consistency coefficients. Also, the results provided evidence for the convergent and divergent validity. Further evidence for the construct validity of the instrument was provided by studying the inter-correlations of its five subscales as well as the correlations of these subscales with the subscales of the entire instrument. At the same time, validity was supported by the correlations of the five subscales with achievement. In sum, the findings of this study show that the psychometric properties obtained from administering the instrument to a sample of secondary school and university students meets acceptable levels. Recommendations were made to conduct further psychometric studies upon the Arabic version of BMSLSS and to administer this version in cross- cultural studies.

The Relationship Between Preretirement Occupation and Older Adults’ Life Satisfaction and Self-Rated Health

ABSTRACT Pensioners currently compose nearly 20% of the British population; men and women can expect to spend an average of about 17 years and 19 years in retirement, respectively. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of preretirement occupation and self-rated health (SRH) on the attainment of life satisfaction in retired people. A total of 121 community-dwelling men and women (M age = 75.8 years, SD = 7.1) completed a survey to assess life satisfaction, self-rated health, retirement stress, retirement adjustment, and recollected aspects of preretirement occupation. Results revealed positive and significant correlations between scores on a life satisfaction measure and SRH, retirement stress, and retirement adjustment (all ps < .001). Path analysis indicated that aspects of previous employment that may predict an adverse influence on current life satisfaction and that engagement in voluntary work appears to have benefits for both life satisfaction and SRH. The authors conclude that many of the adverse effects of preretirement occupation can be helped or avoided through suitable retirement preparation and training.

Investigating the Substantive Aspect of Construct Validity for the Satisfaction with Life Scale Adapted for Children: A Focus on Cognitive Processes

The objective of this study was to investigate the substantive aspect of construct validity of the Satisfaction with Life Scale adapted for Children (SWLS-C; Gadermann et al. in Soc Indic Res 96:229–247, 2010). Specifically, the study examined the cognitive processes of children when responding to the items of the SWLS-C to find out how they interpret and respond to the items. Think-aloud protocol interviews were conducted with 55 students in grades 4–7 (58% girls, mean age of 11 years, ranging from 8.8 to 12.8 years) and content analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings indicate that most children had no difficulty in understanding the items, and used mainly two strategies for responding to the items: (1) an absolute strategy, in which children used absolute statements to indicate the presence or absence of something that is important for their judgment of their satisfaction with life, and (2) a relative strategy, in which children used relative or comparative statements. In the absolute statements, children primarily referred to social relationships, personal characteristics, time use, and possessions. In the relative statements, the children primarily compared what they have to (a) what they want (b) what they had in the past, (c) what other people have, and (d) what they feel they need. Furthermore, most children considered it important that information on their life satisfaction is obtained. The results are discussed with regard to multiple discrepancies theory (Michalos in Soc Indic Res 16:347–413, 1985) and previous empirical findings. The results provide insights into children’s cognitive processes when responding to items on life satisfaction and provide validity evidence that the SWLS-C is an appropriate measure to assess life satisfaction in children of this age.

Perceived social support and life satisfaction in persons with somatization disorder.

Background:Life satisfaction and perceived social support been shown to improve the well-being of a person and also affect the outcome of treatment in somatization disorder. The phenomenon of somatization was explored in relation to the perceived social support and life satisfaction.Aim:This study aimed at investigating perceived social support and life satisfaction in people with somatization disorder.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on persons having somatization disorder attending the outpatient unit of LGB Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam. Satisfaction with life scale and multidimensional scale of perceived social support were used to assess life satisfaction and perceived social support respectively.Results:Women reported more somatic symptoms than men. Family perceived social support was high in the patient in comparison to significant others’ perceived social support and friends’ perceived social support. Perceived social support showed that a significant positive correlation was found with life satisfaction.Conclusion:Poor social support and low life satisfaction might be a stress response with regard to increased distress severity and psychosocial stressors rather than a cultural response to express psychological problems in somatic terms.