To investigate the longitudinal relationship between informal social participation and life satisfaction among older adults relocated for poverty alleviation in China, as well as the mediating role of perceived stress and sleep duration. Overall, 1345 participants [mean age 71.52 (SD:7.19) years; 48.4% female] were included in the longitudinal study. The participants were surveyed using perceived stress scale-14 (PSS-14) and satisfaction with life scale (SWLS). AMOS Statistics 26 was used to test for common method bias (CMB). SPSS Statistics 26 was used to conduct descriptive statistics, and correlation analysis. Besides, four longitudinal cross-lagged models and bootstrap methods were employed to investigate whether there is a mutual influence among informal social participation, perceived stress/sleep duration, and life satisfaction by AMOS Statistics 26. This study did not have a severe problem of CMB. The results indicated informal social participation predicted perceived stress and sleep duration 6months later; perceived stress predicted life satisfaction 6months later; and informal social participation at T1 predicted life satisfaction at T3 through perceived stress at T2. However, informal social participation at T1 did not predict life satisfaction at T3 through sleep duration at T2. These results indicate that for relocated older adults, informal social participation enhances life satisfaction not by improving sleep duration, but primarily through reducing perceived stress. The key pathway is that social participation lowers stress levels, which in turn leads to greater long-term life satisfaction. Hence, our findings could serve to prompt the administrators of community to be aware of the significance of stress alleviation and regard it as a key intervention target in programs designed to enhance the well-being of relocated older adults.

Urbanization and aging populations challenge public health in developing cities like Shiraz, where environmental factors significantly influence old adults' health. This study examined urban environmental impacts on older adults' health in Shiraz and developed predictive machine learning models for health outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to January 2025, involving 3,000 older persons aged 60 years and above across 11 municipal zones of Shiraz. Stratified random sampling was used. Environmental data (green space per capita, population density, waste production) were extracted from municipal records. Health outcomes (BMI, frailty, depression, anxiety, and life satisfaction) were assessed using validated tools (GDS-4, GAI-5, LSI-Z). Statistical analyses included regression models and machine learning (Decision Tree, SVM). The SVM model demonstrated superior predictive performance (R²=0.75 for frailty) compared to Decision Trees (R²=0.71). Key predictive relationships emerged: each 1m² increase in green space per capita predicted a 0.8-point reduction in depression scores (95% CI: -1.2 to -0.4) and 0.3-point lower frailty index. Waste production exceeding 250kg/capita was associated with 35% greater fall risk (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.12-1.63). Population density showed nonlinear associations with outcomes in SVM models, with thresholds varying by health indicator. Environmental quality plays a critical role in older adults' health. "Urban planning strategies that enhance green spaces and strengthen waste management systems may substantially improve health outcomes among older adults in urban settings.

This study surveys the financial literacy issues faced by communities along the coastlines in Kerala and its relation to post flood economic resilience and life satisfaction. Four main struggles with financial education access, lack of fluid movement from financial institution services to community needs, and cultural and economic instability emerged through factor analysis. We found that greater financial literacy correlates with higher savings rates, consistent income and debt management, and increased life satisfaction. Results: descriptive statistics and ANOVA are used to analyze financial literacy between age, gender and education groups. Results suggest the importance of community-specific financial education programs to promote economic resilience and improve well-being in these communities. Their findings highlight the importance of financial literacy interventions to promote economic empowerment and well-being in vulnerable coastal communities. Keywords: Financial Literacy, Economic Resilience, Coastal Communities, Life Satisfaction, Financial Education, ocio-economic Challenges

Introduction Chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) require continuous self-management, often under emotionally and physically taxing conditions. While health literacy and health self-efficacy are known to support disease adaptation, their combined role in psychosomatic functioning, especially under varying levels of depression, remains underexplored. This study examined how health literacy, health self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms influence symptom severity and life satisfaction in patients with IBD. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 393 patients with IBD (60.7% with Crohn’s disease; 56% female; mean age = 40.75) was conducted at a gastroenterology outpatient clinic in Hungary. Standardized questionnaires assessed health literacy, health self-efficacy, depression, symptom severity, and satisfaction with life. Structural equation modeling was used to test a mediation model. Multigroup analyses explored the stability of the model across subgroups defined by depressive symptom levels, disease status (relapse vs. remission), and types of diseases. Results Critical health literacy predicted higher health self-efficacy, which was associated with lower symptom severity and, in turn, greater life satisfaction. This indirect pathway remained significant after controlling demographic variables. Multigroup analyses showed that these relationships were stronger among patients in relapse and those with elevated depression, suggesting increased psychological sensitivity in these subgroups. No difference was found between types of disease. Discussion The findings underscore the importance of critical health literacy and health self-efficacy as interconnected psychological resources in chronic illness self-management. Strengthening these capacities may reduce symptom burden and enhance well-being, particularly in times of relapse and periods of psychological vulnerability. The results support a shift toward integrated, psychosocially informed care models for IBD.

Global population aging is reshaping social structures and health demands at an unprecedented pace. Existing research indicates that decision-making power is significantly associated with health outcomes in later life. However, the underlying pathways linking household financial decision-making power to mental health remain underexplored in population-based studies. Elucidating multi-pathway effects will provide pathway-based evidence for identifying vulnerable populations and developing clinical interventions. We analyzed five waves (2005-2014) of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(CLHLS), comprising 23,994 observations from 9,055 adults aged 65 years or older. Financial decision-making power was self-reported on a four-point ordinal scale. Mental health was assessed via five indicators: psychological resilience, subjective well-being, life satisfaction, self-rated health, and loneliness. Fixed-effects models were applied to control for time-invariant confounders, and inverse probability weighting was used to address attrition bias. Mediation pathways were tested using a bootstrapping approach (500 repetitions). A graded dose-response relationship was observed: lower financial decision-making power was associated with poorer mental health across all outcomes. Compared to those with full autonomy, older adults without decision-making power showed significantly lower psychological resilience (β = - 0.31, p < 0.001) and subjective well-being (β = - 0.51, p < 0.001). Mediation analyses revealed that activities of daily living (ADL) accounted for 13.0% to 31.8% of the total effect and leisure activities for 10.0% to 34.2%, with the strongest mediation observed for loneliness. Among the participants who were functionally independent at baseline, functional capacity exhibited dual mediating roles: a positive pathway for self-rated health and a suppression effect for loneliness. Heterogeneity analyses revealed more pronounced benefits among economically disadvantaged, financially dependent, female, and younger-old adults, with protective effects partially offsetting vulnerabilities in these populations. Financial decision-making power is a significant and potentially modifiable factor associated with mental health among older adults, representing an underexplored pathway for promoting healthy aging, with effects partially mediated through ADL and leisure engagement. Mental health promotion strategies should seek to preserve older adults' household financial decision-making power while supporting functional independence and social engagement.

Some mentoring programs for youth have incorporated principles or strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), but research addressing the effectiveness of such programs is limited. This research is an evaluation of the impact of participation in Reach & Rise®, a program in which all mentors are supported in using CBT principles in their relationships with youth. Researchers randomly assigned youth either to be matched with a mentor through Reach & Rise® (i.e., treatment group; n = 316) or a waitlist control group (n = 284). We examined intent-to-treat effects using youth and caregiver survey data 15 months after study enrollment. Relative to the waitlist control group, we found treatment group youth to be significantly less likely at follow-up to report delinquent behavior (Treatment: 8%, Control: 15%, respectively) and substance use (28% and 43%, respectively). Treatment group youth also had significantly greater self-reported connectedness to school (Cohen's d = 0.267) and caregiver-reported academic performance (d = 0.214) and, at borderline significance (p = .05), greater reported connectedness to their families (d = 0.177). The groups did not differ on the remaining measures, which included youth reports of depressive symptoms, happiness, hope for the future, life satisfaction, and quality of peer relationships. Reach & Rise® shows promise for reducing problem behavior among youth while also positioning them for success and positive adaptation in contexts that are important for adolescent development. In the future, researchers should investigate avenues for broadening the scope of benefits to include aspects of emotional well-being. In view of the support established through this research for the effectiveness of the overall program, another logical next step would be to examine the unique contribution of the CBT principles embedded in the program to youth outcomes.

Micronutrient sufficiency is essential for health, yet many Chinese adults fall short of recommended intake levels. Using data from 12 382 adults in the China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study examined the prevalence of micronutrient sufficiency-defined by 2023 Dietary Reference Intakes for six vitamins and seven minerals-and its associations with subjective well-being (SWB), health care costs, and mortality. Only 10% of adults met sufficiency criteria. Sufficient intake was associated with higher odds of life satisfaction (OR = 1.12, 95% CI [1.02, 1.24], P < .05), with stronger effects in women (OR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.02, 1.32]) and those aged 40 to 49 (OR = 1.44, 95% CI [1.15, 1.79]). No significant association was found with mortality (HR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.75, 1.38]). However, sufficiency was linked to a 7% annual reduction in health care costs (-140.4 Yuan), largely mediated by improved SWB. These results highlight the low prevalence of adequate micronutrient intake and suggest potential benefits for mental well-being and health care savings, supporting the need for targeted nutrition policies in China.

ABSTRACT Agricultural technological progress is often viewed as a technical solution to productivity constraints, but its broader socio-economic implications remain underexplored. This study investigates the gendered impact of mechanization on labor allocation and women’s well-being in rural China. Using nationally representative data from Chinese micro-farmers, we find that mechanization reduces agricultural labor time for both men and women. However, only men benefit from increased non-agricultural employment opportunities, while women remain largely excluded. Despite this asymmetry, mechanization significantly improves women’s subjective well-being – measured by life satisfaction, leisure time, and household decision-making power – especially among those with higher relative incomes. These findings suggest that mechanization operates not merely as a production tool, but as a socially transformative force – challenging entrenched gender norms and shifting the power dynamics within rural families. We argue that the technological modernization of agriculture holds profound implications for gender equity and rural social change.

Traditional public health approaches often conceptualize physical exercise as a behavioral determinant of physical health. Yet, the psychosocial mechanisms through which exercise participation enhances wellbeing in later life remain insufficiently understood. This study reframes exercise participation as a psychosocial ecosystem that simultaneously fulfills eudaimonic (psychological) and relational (social) needs, promoting active aging through interconnected mental and social pathways. Drawing on eudaimonic wellbeing theory and the social ecology of aging, we tested a dual-mediation model linking exercise participation, psychological wellbeing, social connectedness, and life satisfaction among 412 older adults in South Korea. Structural equation modeling confirmed that exercise participation enhanced life satisfaction both directly and indirectly via psychological wellbeing ( β = 0.20, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and social connectedness ( β = 0.17, p &amp;lt; 0.001). These psychosocial mediators accounted for 43% of the total effect, underscoring the interdependence of emotional and social health in later life. The findings advance active-aging research by bridging behavioral health and social integration theories, positioning exercise as a public health catalyst for mental resilience and social cohesion. Public health strategies should therefore integrate psychological empowerment and social inclusion within community-based exercise initiatives to foster eudaimonic wellbeing and social vitality among aging populations.

Introduction The prediction of general health outcomes, such as life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing, by the Big Five personality traits is improved by additionally considering Sense of coherence ( SOC ). This study aims to examine whether SOC mediates the association of Big Five personality traits and Sexual satisfaction as psychological facet of sexual health. Methods N = 206 German adults (aged 18–60) answered items on socio-demography and sexual orientation/behavior, the short Big Five Inventory (BFI-K), the SOC-L9 and the self-centered subscale of the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS-E) in an online survey. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling were used (maximum likelihood estimation). Results Model modifications ensured satisfactory to good CFA model fits for the BFI-K, SOC-L9 and NSSS-E (CFI = 0.972–0.992; RMSEA = 0.024–0.072). In particular, the SOC-L9 items had to be assigned to the two newly defined sub-factors Sense of meaningfulness and manageability (SOC-MM) and Sense of comprehensibility (SOC-CP). Sexual satisfaction proved to be a second-order factor underlying the first-order components Intensity , Emotionality and Orgasm . 20% of the variance in Sexual satisfaction can be predicted by SOC-MM (β = 0.57, p &amp;lt; 0.001; CFI = 0.940; RMSEA = 0.051), in particular. The predictive power of the Big Five-facets Neuroticism and Openness is fully mediated by SOC-MM (Δχ 2 df = 5 = 9.035, p = 0.108). Living in a partnership corresponds to higher SOC-MM and Sexual satisfaction . Being heterosexual also corresponds to enhanced SOC. Discussion The association of the Big Five personality traits and Sexual satisfaction can be considered as fully mediated by SOC-MM . The link between SOC-MM for satisfaction with sexual experience and behavior thus appears to be essential in order to improve the understanding and promotion of Sexual satisfaction and health.

Aims Parental rearing behavior has long been recognized as a crucial etiological factor contributing to the vulnerability of psychopathology. Clinical researchers have devoted considerable attention to this subject. In pursuit of this objective, it is vital to have efficient instruments able to assess remembered parental rearing behavior within clinical practice. The aim of this study was to conduct a new psychometric evaluation of the German instrument known as the “Fragebogen zum Erinnerten Elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten (FEE),” designed for the assessment of recalled parental rearing behavior. A recently collected representative dataset was used. Methods This questionnaire was psychometrically evaluated in a representative sample of the general population ( N = 2,373) in Germany which included 50.5% women and 49.5% men with a mean age of M = 49.3 (SD = 17.5, range = 14–95). Results Fathers were rated higher in rejection and punishment, and mothers were rated higher in emotional warmth with low to medium effect sizes. Men reported higher values of rejection and punishment and lower values of emotional warmth in the father version than women. Living in a city goes along with more rejection and punishment as well as more control and overprotection compared to people from rural areas, but effect sizes were small. Reliability indices were high in the first two scales and acceptable in the scale of control and overprotection. Divergent validity was shown by expected correlations with other health-related variables. The three-dimensional structure of the FEE and the measurement invariance regarding gender and age was confirmed by confirmatory factor analyses. Norm values are presented as percent rank scores. Conclusion The FEE represents a dependable and valid tool suitable for use in clinical practice. Our data established a connection between remembered parental rearing behavior, life satisfaction, and interpersonal issues, in accordance with existing literature. We also tackled certain challenges related to the retrospective evaluation of parental rearing behavior.

Lateral unicompartmental arthroplasty (UKA-L) is a bone- and cruciate-preserving procedure in the treatment of isolated lateral compartment gonarthrosis, but relatively little is known of its associated gait characteristics and patient-reported outcomes. A total of 20 individuals, at a mean 35 months (SD 37) post UKA-L, were measured on an instrumented treadmill. They were compared to age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls (n = 22) and individuals with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA, n = 28) mean 44 months (SD 46) post-surgery (p = 0.382). Top walking speed, temporospatial parameters, and vertical ground reaction forces of gait were analyzed. Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) and EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D) scores were compared. The UKA-L group walked at a mean speed of 7.0 km/hour (SD 0.6), which was 0.2 km/hour (3%) slower than the healthy control group (7.2 km/hour (SD 0.7); p = 0.681) but 26% faster than the TKA group (5.5 km/hour (SD 0.7), p < 0.001). UKA-L displayed nearer normal vertical ground reaction forces throughout the stance phase. TKA demonstrated significantly reduced maximum weight acceptance, increased mid-stance, and reduced push-off forces compared to healthy and UKA-L subjects (all p < 0.05). UKA-L recorded similar step and stride lengths to healthy controls, and were 12% and 10% longer than TKA, respectively (p < 0.05). UKA-L was associated with a mean OKS of 44 (SD 3) compared to 36 (SD 6) for TKA (p < 0.001), and mean EQ-5D of 0.90 (SD 0.09) vs 0.78 (SD 0.14) for TKA (p = 0.003). UKA-L restores healthy gait characteristics at top walking speeds. Compared to TKA, faster walking speeds, nearer-normal vertical ground reaction forces, longer stride lengths, and a more consistent gait pattern demonstrate the importance of functional cruciate ligaments to gait. UKA-L is associated with high patient satisfaction and good quality of life in the treatment of isolated lateral compartment arthrosis.

Early intervention versus treatment as usual for adolescents with first-episode psychosis: Protocol for the randomized OPUS YOUNG trial.

Purpose Depression is one of the leading causes of avoidable suffering worldwide, and over 50% of patients do not respond to their first antidepressant treatment, which underscores the need for more effective alternatives. This clinical predicament urgently requires an effective solution. The core objective of this study is to clarify the clinical efficacy and application value of the triple reuptake inhibitor toludesvenlafaxine in patients with poor response to the first antidepressant therapy, providing a new basis for treatment options for this refractory group. Methods This multicenter study included 61 patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition ( DSM-V ) criteria for depression. All patients still had a Montgomery Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score of ≥24 after 4 weeks of treatment with an adequate single initial antidepressant, and were clearly classified as an ineffective or partially effective initial antidepressant treatment. Patients were switched to toludesvenlafaxine for an 8-week treatment period. The primary outcome measure was the change in MADRS score from baseline to 8 weeks. The secondary outcome measures included the changes in the scores of the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), the Dimensional Anhedonia Rating Scale (DARS), the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire, Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF), and the Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale (CGI-S) from baseline to 8 weeks. Results For such patients that did not respond to the first treatment, significant and rapid efficacy was demonstrated after switching to toludesvenlafaxine. At 8 weeks of treatment, the average MADRS score of the patients decreased by 15.5 points compared with the baseline (95% CI, −17.7 to −13.3; p &amp;lt; 0.0001; Cohen’s d = 2.35). Forty-three percent of them met the clinical remission, and 67% achieved a clinical response. More clinically significant is that the therapeutic effect emerged at an early stage—2 weeks (95% CI, −9.4 to −6.4; p &amp;lt; 0.0001; Cohen’s d = 1.52) and 4 weeks (95% CI, −13.3 to −9.8; p &amp;lt; 0.0001; Cohen’s d = 2.11). After 2 weeks of treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the HAMA, Q-LES-Q-SF, and CGI-S scores at each time point compared with the baseline. The improvement in the DARS score was statistically significant from 4 weeks. In terms of safety, the most common adverse reactions were palpitations, constipation, nausea, vomiting, hypoesthesia, and dizziness, which are mostly mild to moderate and controllable. In particular, the drug significantly improved sexual dysfunction (95% CI, −4.3 to −0.7; p = 0.0071), which is crucial for improving treatment compliance. Conclusion This study confirmed that toludesvenlafaxine not only has significant clinical efficacy (including early onset, high remission, and response) for patients with depression who did not respond to the first antidepressant treatment, but also has good safety and can improve sexual dysfunction that affects compliance. This result highlights the significant position of toludesvenlafaxine in addressing the key clinical challenge of first treatment failure, providing a highly valuable new option for the subsequent treatment of such patients.

Adolescence is a period when families must balance emotional connection with growing autonomy. How family functioning supports well-being during this transition remains unclear, particularly in cultural contexts that value harmony amid difference. This study examined how family functioning relates to life satisfaction among Hong Kong Chinese parents and adolescents, focusing on dialectical thinking and the balance between congruent and divergent family perceptions. Participants were 309 parent-adolescent dyads from Hong Kong. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model and the Actor-Partner Own-Difference approach, the study tested direct, indirect, and cross-dyadic pathways between family functioning, dialectical thinking, and life satisfaction, with multi-group models comparing mothers and fathers. Family functioning was positively associated with greater life satisfaction for both generations. Adolescents' perceptions were positively related to parents' life satisfaction, whereas parents' perceptions showed no cross-dyadic associations. In the multi-group analyses, fathers' family functioning was negatively associated with adolescents' life satisfaction, whereas the corresponding association was not evident for mothers. Regarding perceptual fit, congruence between parents' and adolescents' views was associated with higher well-being, whereas discrepancy was associated with lower parental well-being; for adolescents, discrepancy was positively associated with life satisfaction only in father-adolescent dyads. Dialectical thinking showed selective indirect effects linking family functioning to parents' life satisfaction, evident in the pooled sample and more consistently among mothers. The study highlights adolescent family life as a relational context in which well-being reflects ongoing negotiation of connection and autonomy. The pattern emphasizes the importance of considering interdependence, role-specific dynamics, and culturally embedded meaning-making when interpreting links between family functioning and life satisfaction.

Sex-specific trajectories of mental health and life satisfaction during the transition to grandparenthood in China.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the online and face-to-face formats of a course-based Positive Youth Development (PYD) program, “Tomorrow's Leaders,” in promoting holistic development among university students in Hong Kong. Method: Utilizing a one-group pretest-posttest design, this study collected data from students who took the course “Tomorrow's Leaders” before and after the course, with 2,695 students enrolled online and 4,056 students enrolled face-to-face. Results: Students demonstrated enhanced PYD attributes, psychological well-being, and desired graduate qualities in both formats. Students in the face-to-face format showed greater improvement than those in online format in specific outcomes (e.g., self-determination, life satisfaction, and problem-solving ability). Discussion: The findings supported the effectiveness of the online PYD program but also highlighted the advantages of face-to-face learning. This disparity underscores the critical role of interpersonal engagement in nurturing leadership abilities and fostering a positive self-concept in young people, which is relevant to youth social workers.

BackgroundMultimorbidity, the coexistence of 2 or more chronic conditions, is associated with poor well-being. Health coaching apps offer cost-effective and accessible support. However, there is a lack of evidence of the impact of health coaching apps on individuals with multimorbidity.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the impact and acceptability of a health coaching app (the Holly Health [HH] app) on the subjective well-being (SWB) of adults with multimorbidity.MethodsThis study used an explanatory-sequential mixed methods design, with quantitative secondary data analysis in the first phase and qualitative interviews in the second phase. In the quantitative phase (n=565), pre- and post-SWB (Office for National Statistics' 4 personal well-being questions [ONS4]) scores from existing app users with multimorbidity were analyzed using Bayesian growth curve modeling to assess the impact of HH. In the qualitative phase (n=22), data were collected via semistructured interviews and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Mechanisms of action that supported SWB were categorized using the Multi-Level Leisure Mechanisms Framework.ResultsThere was a significant increase in life satisfaction (Coef.=0.71, 95% highest density interval [HDI] 0.52‐0.89), worthwhileness (Coef.=0.62, 95% HDI 0.43‐0.81), and happiness (Coef.=0.74, 95% HDI 0.54‐0.92) and a decrease in anxiety (Coef.=−0.50, 95% HDI −0.74 to −0.25) before and after using the HH app. Overall, 8 acceptable app features activated 5 mechanisms of action, including behavioral, psychological, and social mechanisms. Three additional factors influenced the acceptability of the health coaching app: type of chronic condition, availability of time, and the use of other support tools.ConclusionsThe study demonstrates that health coaching apps could be effective and acceptable support tools for individuals with multimorbidity. This study contributes to understanding why health coaching apps support SWB and could be used to inform the development of future digital health interventions in multimorbidity.

Large-scale traumatic events such as earthquakes have profound and long-lasting impacts on individuals' psychological well-being. However, the protective mechanisms that may foster adjustment and support life satisfaction in the aftermath of such disasters remain insufficiently explored. This longitudinal study examined the mediating role of psychological adjustment in the relationship between mindfulness and life satisfaction among young adult earthquake survivors. Data were collected through two web-based surveys conducted approximately six months apart. The final sample consisted of 277 Turkish young adults (58.5% female; M = 21.52, SD = 2.29). Using a cross-lagged panel model for a half-longitudinal design, the findings revealed that mindfulness at Time 1 significantly predicted higher psychological adjustment at Time 2, which in turn contributed to greater life satisfaction. Moreover, psychological adjustment mediated the longitudinal association between mindfulness and life satisfaction. In this context, the findings suggest that mindfulness-based interventions and structured psychological counseling can effectively support life satisfaction and post-trauma adjustment, offering practical guidance for post-disaster mental health practices.

Polluting cooking fuels are a major source of household air pollution and may reduce life satisfaction (LS). Yet, this relationship remains unexplored in India where polluting fuel use is still widespread. We utilized cross-sectional data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, a nationally representative study of individuals aged 45years and above. Cooking fuel type was classified as households using clean fuels (CF) or non-CF. Based on kitchen type, non-CF was categorized into non-CF in separate kitchen, and non-CF without separate kitchen. We used multivariable regression to examine the association between polluting cooking fuels and LS and explored gender differences in this association. The analytical sample comprised 62,822 respondents (mean age 59.56 ± 10.52years). The use of non-CF in separate and non-separate kitchen was 27.08% (n = 17,010) and 18.89% (n = 11,868), respectively. We observed that LS scores were highest among households using CF, followed by those using non-CF in separate kitchen, and lowest among households using non-CF without separate room for cooking. Additionally, in the fully adjusted model, a dose-response association with LS was observed corresponding to different levels of polluting cooking fuels (non-CF in separate kitchen: β = -0.51 [95% CI: -0.71, -0.31]; non-CF without separate kitchen: β = -1.42 [95% CI: -1.65, -1.19]). Multiple sensitivity analyses support the robustness of our findings. Gender was a significant effect modifier, with the interaction model revealing a stronger negative association between non-CF use and LS among women than among men. Our findings highlight the need for policies that promote an equitable clean fuel transition to enhance life satisfaction and well-being.