Life Satisfaction Of Older Adults Research Articles

Relationship between self-reported hearing and vision problems, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction in older adults: a retrospective observational study

BackgroundSensory impairment in older adults is associated with cognitive decline, elevated depressive symptoms, and low levels of life satisfaction. However, these relationships are usually investigated separately and in pairs. This study examined these relationships comprehensively, for the first time.MethodsThe analysis included 5,658 community-dwelling older adults from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (aged 50 to 108 years, 52.1% male) who completed the Jorm Informant Questionnaire Cognitive Decline in the Elderly and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression-short form. A questionnaire was used to collect information on hearing, visual status, and life satisfaction. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the direct and indirect relationships between these variables.ResultsSelf-reported hearing and vision problems are directly associated with cognitive decline and elevated depressive symptoms. In addition, hearing and vision problems are indirectly related to cognitive decline through elevated depressive symptoms. Although hearing and vision problems had no direct effect on life satisfaction, they were indirectly associated with life satisfaction through cognitive decline and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsThis study provides the first epidemiological evidence of the comprehensive relationships between hearing and vision problems, cognitive decline, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction. When older adults report hearing and/or vision problems, clinicians and caregivers should be aware of the concurrence of declined cognition, elevated depressive symptoms, and compensated life satisfaction. Future studies should examine the causal relationships and potential mechanisms of these relationships.

Contribution of the age-friendly communities in the well-being of the older adults: a study of Pune City

ABSTRACT This research investigates the contribution of age-friendly communities to Pune people’s well-being. This study assesses the relation between the eight dimensions of age-friendly communities, as the WHO suggested, and the life satisfaction of older adults. The dimensions studied include outdoor spaces and buildings, social participation, transportation, respect and social inclusion, housing, civic participation and employment, community support and health services, and communication and information. The research methodology involved primary data collection through a survey, and analysis was done using structural equation modelling. The findings of this study suggest that age-friendly communities significantly impact the life satisfaction of the older adult population in Pune. Specifically, the dimensions of social participation, community support and health services, and respect and social inclusion had the greatest impact on life satisfaction among older adults. These findings highlight the significance of developing age-friendly communities to promote the well-being of the older adult population in India. This study offers insightful results for policymakers, community leaders, and individuals advocating active and healthy ageing among older adults.

Qualities of Older Adults' Family and Friendship Relationships and Their Association with Life Satisfaction.

While family and friendship relationship qualities are associated with life satisfaction, evidence on how these types of relationships interact to contribute to older adults' life satisfaction is sparse. This study examined how family and friendship relationship qualities may be supportive of (compensatory) or conflict with (competing) older adults' life satisfaction. We adopted a cross-sectional design to analyze data from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 1178, females = 54.8%, mean age = 67.9 years, SD = 9.3 years) to examine compensatory (as in social support) and competing (as in social strain) qualities of family and friendship social relationships and their association with life satisfaction in older adults. For greater explanatory power, we also controlled for life satisfaction by sociodemographic variables of age, gender, education, self-reported general health, physical health and activity, depression, and personality traits. Our findings indicate that the spouse/partner support relationship contributes to older adults' life satisfaction overall and is associated with greater social support and less social strain. Friendship support is associated with improved life satisfaction for older adults reporting spouse/partner strain. Relationship support for the life satisfaction of older adults should consider their need for social support from their social network while minimizing the risk of social strain from adversarial relationships in life situations.

Cumulative Exposure to Social Isolation and Longitudinal Changes in Life Satisfaction among Older Adults

This study examines the longitudinal association between cumulative exposure to social isolation and life satisfaction and whether this association differs by gender. Using seven waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2018 (3,543 adults aged 65 or older), fixed effects models were estimated. Cumulative social isolation was longitudinally associated with a decline in life satisfaction in older adults. Gender-specific analyses revealed that older women exposed to cumulative social isolation continued to experience a decline in life satisfaction up to the fourth and subsequent waves of exposure (relative to the initial wave in which there was no social isolation; b = −13.038, p < .001). In contrast, a decline in life satisfaction associated with cumulative social isolation was less pronounced among older men ( b = −6.200 for the fourth and subsequent waves of exposure, p < .05). Cumulative social isolation can be a persistent risk factor for life satisfaction in older adults, particularly older women. The study’s findings hold important implications for programs aimed at reducing social isolation and improving psychological well-being among older adults.

Children-related factors associated with life satisfaction of urban older adults living alone in China.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the number of children, their gender structure, and the gender of children by birth order with the life satisfaction of urban older adults living alone (UOALA) in five Chinese cities. Traditional reproductive views suggest that having more children, especially sons, is associated with higher life satisfaction for older adults. This study utilized a cross-sectional design and included a sample of 2,801 UOALA from five Chinese cities. The life satisfaction of participants was measured using standardized questionnaires. To analyze the data, both OLS and OLogit methods were employed. Empirical research shows that the number of children has a positive association with life satisfaction of UOALA, which is greater in male older adults than in female ones. The increase in the number of daughters is significantly associated with higher life satisfaction. In terms of gender structure, UOALA with multiple children, including both sons and daughters, tend to have a higher level of life satisfaction, which partly validates the cohort reproductive preference. In terms of gender of children by birth order, UOALA whose first child is a daughter have higher life satisfaction, which is more pronounced among male UOALA, while the association of gender of children by birth order on female UOALA is relatively weak. This study contributes to the understanding of the factors associated with the life satisfaction of UOALA in China. The findings suggest that having more children, particularly daughters, and a balanced gender structure of children is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction. The study suggests the need for targeted social support for UOALA with varying family structures.

Promoting Personalized Reminiscence Among Cognitively Intact Older Adults Through an AI-Driven Interactive Multimodal Photo Album: Development and Usability Study.

Reminiscence, a therapy that uses stimulating materials such as old photos and videos to stimulate long-term memory, can improve the emotional well-being and life satisfaction of older adults, including those who are cognitively intact. However, providing personalized reminiscence therapy can be challenging for caregivers and family members. This study aimed to achieve three objectives: (1) design and develop the GoodTimes app, an interactive multimodal photo album that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to engage users in personalized conversations and storytelling about their pictures, encompassing family, friends, and special moments; (2) examine the app's functionalities in various scenarios using use-case studies and assess the app's usability and user experience through the user study; and (3) investigate the app's potential as a supplementary tool for reminiscence therapy among cognitively intact older adults, aiming to enhance their psychological well-being by facilitating the recollection of past experiences. We used state-of-the-art AI technologies, including image recognition, natural language processing, knowledge graph, logic, and machine learning, to develop GoodTimes. First, we constructed a comprehensive knowledge graph that models the information required for effective communication, including photos, people, locations, time, and stories related to the photos. Next, we developed a voice assistant that interacts with users by leveraging the knowledge graph and machine learning techniques. Then, we created various use cases to examine the functions of the system in different scenarios. Finally, to evaluate GoodTimes' usability, we conducted a study with older adults (N=13; age range 58-84, mean 65.8 years). The study period started from January to March 2023. The use-case tests demonstrated the performance of GoodTimes in handling a variety of scenarios, highlighting its versatility and adaptability. For the user study, the feedback from our participants was highly positive, with 92% (12/13) reporting a positive experience conversing with GoodTimes. All participants mentioned that the app invoked pleasant memories and aided in recollecting loved ones, resulting in a sense of happiness for the majority (11/13, 85%). Additionally, a significant majority found GoodTimes to be helpful (11/13, 85%) and user-friendly (12/13, 92%). Most participants (9/13, 69%) expressed a desire to use the app frequently, although some (4/13, 31%) indicated a need for technical support to navigate the system effectively. Our AI-based interactive photo album, GoodTimes, was able to engage users in browsing their photos and conversing about them. Preliminary evidence supports GoodTimes' usability and benefits cognitively intact older adults. Future work is needed to explore its potential positive effects among older adults with cognitive impairment.

Enhancing understanding of healthy aging based on time-varying dependencies among multidimensional health, life satisfaction, and health behaviors of older adults aged 60 years and over.

Healthy aging is a process of not only achieving good health but also increasing the life satisfaction of older adults aged 60 years and over, in which health behaviors play an important role. There is a lack of research on the time-varying dependencies between health, life satisfaction, and health behaviors, impeding a deeper understanding of healthy aging. To develop an integrated framework for modeling the interrelationships among the components of healthy aging between multiple time slices. Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Living Survey (CLHLS) data in the three waves of 2011/2012, 2014, and 2017/2018, Bayesian network and dynamic Bayesian network are jointly employed to study the relationships among the components of healthy aging within one time slice, as well as to explore the time-varying dependencies among the components between time slices. The results of structure learning reveal the direction of effects between different dimensions of health, with mental health and social health affecting physical health and self-rated health affecting both physical and mental health. In addition, health behaviors are found to affect mental health and social health, while self-rated health can influence life satisfaction. The parameters learned from the data show the magnitude and direction of concurrent effects, one-period lagged effects and two-period lagged effects between the factors, which find that the time-varying dependencies vary but are generally positive, long-term, and accumulative over time. In addition, the results of autoregressive effects show the positive predictive effects of health and life satisfaction. It confirms the influence pathway from health behaviors to multidimensional health to life satisfaction, and the time-varying dependencies among the components of healthy aging, which facilitates a deeper understanding of healthy aging. Combining the results of autoregressive effects and descriptive statistics, it further indicates that healthy aging is a comprehensive result arising from interactions of multiple factors. Policymakers should guide older adults aged 60 years and over to adopt healthier behaviors and ensure the long-term sustainability and continuity of policies.

Should older adults who have been injured at work be encouraged to return to work?: A study on life satisfaction of older adults with experience in industrial accidents

Work is generally defined as a positive factor in the lives of older adults. However, older adults who have experienced a industrial accidents need to also consider whether they want to work, as they face the double burden of disability and aging. Current rehabilitation services for injured workers focus on return to work without considering the life cycle. The purpose of the study was to determine whether returning to work affects life satisfaction in older adults and to discuss appropriate service directions. The data used to examine this are from the third year of the second cohort of the Panel Study of Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 (under 55, 1,176 participants), Group 2 (from 55 to 64, 1,036 participants), and Group 3 (65 or older, 611 participants). Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the impacts of demographic variables (sex, marriage), care and health variables (treatment duration, self-rated health status, disability grade), economic variables (earned income, unearned income, employment status), rehabilitation service (vocational and psychosocial rehabilitation services), and psychosocial variables (self-esteem, social relationship) on life satisfaction. Returning to work and income were found to have no positive impacts on older adults’ life satisfaction. Better self-rated health, higher self-esteem, and good social relationships all had positive effects on life satisfaction among older adults. For the under-65 cohort, a number of factors contributed to life satisfaction, including income, employment, high self-esteem, etc. Indiscriminately encouraging injured older adults to return to work does not always make sense. There is a need to focus on sustainable health and psychosocial services in the community. This study demonstrates the importance of taking a non-work approach with injured older adults who have the dual characteristics of being both old and disabled.

The Power of Emotional Engagement: Tamil Television Serials as a Trail to Enhance Well-being and Successful Ageing among Older Adults

Tamil television serials have the potential to elicit a wide variety of emotions in viewers. Emotional control and expression change as individuals age, and this change is interrelated in various ways. Positive or negative emotions, when put into practice by regulating the emotions associated with health, can result in an increase or decrease in lifespan during successful ageing. This study explores the relationship between emotional well-being and prosperous ageing in Tamil television serials among older adults. An exploratory method was adopted to understand the connection between Tamil television serials and emotional well-being for successful ageing in Tamil Nadu (a southern state of India). Fourteen older adults over 50 who watch Tamil television mega-serials from Tamil Nadu were recruited for in-depth interviews. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis: emotional connection, life satisfaction, fortitude and ageism among older adults. The findings suggest that Tamil television serials provide emotional engagement, companionship and life satisfaction for older adults, contributing to successful ageing.

GRATITUDE, RELATIONSHIP QUALITIES, AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN LATE LIFE

Abstract Gratitude is associated with better well-being. The Find, Remind, and Bind Theory suggests gratitude may support relationships with greater affection and less conflict, contributing to well-being. This study evaluated gratitude, relationship qualities with social partners, and their association with life satisfaction in late life. We leveraged data from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study. Older adults aged 65-92 (N = 316, Mean age = 74.03) completed measures of trait gratitude and life satisfaction. They also listed their close social partners and rated their affection and conflict with the 10 closest partners. Linear regression models indicated that older adults who reported higher gratitude also experienced higher levels of life satisfaction. Older adults who rated greater affection in ties to close social partners also experienced higher levels of life satisfaction; conflict was not associated with life satisfaction. We also found moderating effects; less affection with social partners was associated with lower life satisfaction only among older adults with lower gratitude levels. Older adults with higher gratitude levels reported high life satisfaction regardless of affection. Low conflict with social partners was associated with greater life satisfaction for older adults with higher gratitude levels, but participants who experienced high conflict with social partners reported less life satisfaction, regardless of gratitude level. In sum, associations between gratitude and well-being are complex. Gratitude may play a protective role for life satisfaction when older adults navigate their social world without much affection from partners but may be less effective in high conflict contexts.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTERNET USE AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN LATER LIFE: A FOCUS ON THIRD-LEVEL DIGITAL DIVIDE

Abstract The third-level digital divide highlights how social factors can shape disparities in real-life experiences derived from digital use. This study aims to examine how different types of internet use are related to the life satisfaction of older adults with varying health and wealth statuses through the lens of the third-level digital divide. The data for this study came from the 2022 Korea Digital Divide Survey. A sample of 1,165 older adults aged between 65 and 96 years old was grouped into four categories based on their health and wealth statuses, considering that these two factors tend to shape the social positions of older adults in Korean society. Life satisfaction was measured using 5 items from the 4-point Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), while different types of internet use were accessed with 13 dichotomous items. The findings showed that a significant positive effect of internet use was observed only among older adults with good health status, indicating a stronger effect for those with good wealth status. Particularly, online public services (d=1.41, p< 0.001), cloud services (d=1.35, p< 0.001), and social networking services (d=1.27, p< 0.001) exhibited significant effects. No significant effect was observed for older adults with poor health status, except for online entertainment content, which was found to be significantly related to the life satisfaction of those with low wealth status (d=0.87, p< 0.01). The study findings imply diversity in terms of internet use and its association with life satisfaction, while highlighting social disparities.

ESPO AND HEALTH SCIENCES SECTION SYMPOSIUM: BUILDING BRIDGES: LEVERAGING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTS TO IMPROVE HEALTH IN LATER LIFE

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has renewed focus on social connections as fundamental contributors to health across the lifespan. Social connections have been studied in numerous ways (e.g., social network size, daily social interactions, engagement in social activities) and may facilitate health via multiple, dynamic biopsychosocial mechanisms. In line with this year’s theme, we review novel insights from early-career scholars into how “building bridges” with others throughout life may promote mental and cognitive health in later life. Further, we emphasize how bridging disciplines (e.g., social and neurocognitive sciences) is vital to understanding how social environments may “get under the skin” to impact health. Presentations will span multiple social-ecological levels (community, institutional, interpersonal). Beginning at the community/institutional level, Dr. Moored will discuss how the quantity of neighborhood social destinations contributes to GPS measures of community mobility in older adults. Dr. Britt will then describe how religious participation, a specific social institutional activity, is associated with an inflammatory biomarker predictive of cognitive impairments. The remaining talks will then report on daily social experiences. Dr. Ng will highlight links between daily support exchanges and life satisfaction in older adults and how these relationships differ by marital status. Extending to the caregiving context, Dr. Puga will present on how role captivity and daily changes in social isolation contribute to mood symptoms in family caregivers of individuals living with dementia. Our Discussant, Dr. Cudjoe, will provide a critical review in the context of new directions for research on social connections and environments.

Purpose in Life Links Positive Aging Views to Life Satisfaction: A Within-Person Analysis Spanning 13 Years.

This study aimed to examine the relationship between positive perceptions of aging, purpose in life, and life satisfaction in older adults. It was hypothesized that purpose in life mediates the relationship between positive perceptions of one's aging and life satisfaction. This hypothesis was tested in a sample of older American adults from four waves of the Health and Retirement Study collected at 4-year intervals between 2008 and 2020 (N = 11,546, mean age in 2008 = 62.772). The random intercept cross-lagged panel model was used to separate within-person and between-person sources of variance. Mediation was tested at the longitudinal within-person level and was supported. Results suggest that an increase in positive perceptions of aging is associated with a future increase in purpose in life, which in turn is associated with higher future levels of life satisfaction. The findings inform interventions promoting positive aging, purpose, and life satisfaction in older adults.

Mobile Internet Use and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults: The Moderating Effect of Living Alone

This study, informed by the principle of the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, evaluated the relationships between mobile internet use frequency, living arrangement, and life satisfaction in older adults. We used data from the 2021 Digital Divide Survey in South Korea, conducting a secondary analysis on 2105 participants aged 65 or above who accessed the internet in the last month. Multiple linear regression models were performed. Compared to the older adults who lived with others, those living alone showed a stronger positive association between their use of the mobile internet for daily services, information production and sharing, social participation, and life satisfaction. These findings align with the principle of the COR theory, suggesting that older adults living alone due to a loss in resources are more likely to benefit from mobile internet use, indicating the potential effectiveness of promoting mobile internet use as a strategy to enhance their life satisfaction.

Age-friendly neighbourhood environment, functional abilities and life satisfaction: A longitudinal analysis of older adults in urban China

The construction of age-friendly neighbourhoods is a priority for practice and policy to promote active ageing and increase life satisfaction for older adults. However, there has been a paucity of longitudinal evidence on the interaction effects of age-friendly neighbourhood environment and functional abilities on life satisfaction among older adults in urban China. This study makes the first attempt to examine the effect of person-environment fit on life satisfaction by the accumulative effects of age-friendliness of the baseline neighbourhood environment (measured within the WHO Age-Friendly City framework) on functional abilities and life satisfaction trajectories and the long-term effects of functioning changes on life satisfaction, drawing from four waves of longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and latent growth curve modelling. Results indicated that the age-friendliness of transportation was positively associated with functional abilities, and housing was the primary factor that shaped life satisfaction at the baseline. Better maintenance of functional abilities could promote life satisfaction over time. For older adults living in recently built neighbourhoods, social environment factors such as associations and facilities for social participation were more important in functional abilities, and communication and information were more important in life satisfaction. For those living in neighbourhoods built before 2000, physical environment factors such as transportation were essential in functional abilities, and housing was more essential in life satisfaction; health-related facilities and services at baseline exerted a cumulative effect on maintaining functional abilities in the long run. Our findings inform policymakers about how to effectively allocate public resources to enhance older adults’ life satisfaction in the Chinese urban context.

Social Interaction and Life Satisfaction among Older Adults by Age Group.

This study examined the effect of social interaction on life satisfaction in older adults. A total of 8188 participants were selected according to the inclusion criteria. SPSS Windows software (version 23.0) was used for statistical analyses. Data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test, chi-squared test, and multiple regression analysis with weights based on two age groups: 65-74 and ≥75 years. The results showed that social interaction factors influenced the life satisfaction of older adults. In the 65-74 age group, factors that statistically significantly increased life satisfaction were meeting children (β = 0.17, p < 0.001) and volunteer activities (β = 0.04, p = 0.007). In the ≥75 age group, factors that significantly increased life satisfaction were talking with friends (β = 0.11, p = 0.002), talking with children (β = 0.07, p = 0.013), using senior citizen community centers (β = 0.08, p = 0.001), and hobby club activities (β = 0.07, p = 0.001). In order to increase the life satisfaction of older adults, different ways to support social interactions need to be explored.

Family support and life satisfaction of older adults: the mediating and moderating role of leisure activities and health

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to explore the role of leisure activities in the life satisfaction of older people. In addition, the mediating and moderating effects of leisure activities and health on family support and life satisfaction are examined. This study is based on a primary survey of 311 older adults in India. A questionnaire was administered for data collection. PLS-SEM was used to analyse the data. The analysis was done in two phases: measurement model analysis and structural equation modelling. Measurement model analysis estimated that the constructs have adequate reliability and validity. SEM results showed the positive impact of family support on life satisfaction, both directly and indirectly through leisure activities. Health of older adults moderates the relationship between family support and life satisfaction. The novelty and value of the study is the significant role of health and leisure activities between family support and life satisfaction.

Positive Emotions, Hope, and Life Satisfaction in Chinese Older Adults: An Application of Broaden-and-Build Model.

According to the broaden-and-build theory, positive emotions can broaden our awareness and build psychological resources, which leads to better psychological outcomes. Previous studies demonstrated that hope partially mediates the association between positive emotions and life satisfaction in college students. Yet, there has no similar model been tested among older adults. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the mediating role of hope agency and pathways in the association between positive emotions and life satisfaction. Three hundred and forty-one Chinese community-dwelling older adults (mean = 70.83, SD = 9.16) were asked to complete a survey questionnaire comprising measures assessing positive emotions, hope, life satisfaction, and other sociodemographic variables. Results showed that hope agency, but not hope pathways, partially mediated the relationship between positive emotions and life satisfaction. We discussed the importance of these initial findings concerning positive emotions and hope as predictors of life satisfaction in the older adult population.

Effectiveness on Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction for Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Life Review and Reminiscence Therapy across Settings.

With the growing trend of ageing, there is an urgent need for effective interventions that enhance positive psychological functions among older adults. (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of life review and reminiscence therapy in enhancing the quality of life and life satisfaction among older adults. (2) To discover efficacious variables during interventions, such as form of intervention and number of sessions. Relevant randomized controlled trials in both English and Chinese languages were searched across eight databases. The meta-analysis was conducted by a random effects model using STATA 17. The registration number of this review is CRD42023424085. Thirty-two studies with 2353 participants were included. Experimental groups of older adults significantly improved their quality of life (SMD 1.07; 95% CI 0.48 to 1.66; p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (SMD 1.12; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.60; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed that individual sessions of life review and reminiscence therapy had a more significant impact on improving quality of life and six to eight intervention sessions could enhance life satisfaction more effectively. Life review and reminiscence therapy hold promise for application in medical and nursing care for older adults, suggesting the potential benefits of implementing intervention designs with effective settings for positive psychological functions.

Assessing the Impact of Innovative Technologies on the Life Satisfaction of Older Adults in Russia and Vietnam

This study uses the concept of “technological space,” a term that defines the interplay between the social and technological environment, extending our understanding of environmental factors in various scientific domains. We examine the significance of technological space by looking at how older adults interact with modern technologies in the regional contexts of Russia and Vietnam. This study is motivated by the need to integrate older adults into the regional technological landscape. Although older adults face various challenges that may prevent them from adopting modern technologies in their daily lives, embracing these high-tech products and services can greatly improve their overall happiness and well-being. The analysis draws upon the data gathered through a sociological study in Russia’s Tomsk region and a parallel study conducted in Vietnam in 2022. The research outcomes show a noticeable contrast in older individuals’ readiness to embrace innovative technologies, highlighting their openness to adaptation under specific circumstances. Additionally, these findings underscore the limited and varied extent to which older generations engage with the contemporary regional technological space, as well as the constrained impact of innovative technology on their life satisfaction. These findings can be useful for regional policymakers seeking to enhance the adaptability of older adults in the face of socio-economic challenges.