Lower Life Satisfaction Research Articles

Motivation to Change Direction in Life with a Little Help from a Digital Companion or a Professional Assistance

This article examines whether people are motivated to change their life direction at all, who is currently changing their purpose, and whether they prefer the assistance of a digital companion or a professional when changing their purpose. Adults (N = 792, 50.3% women) participated in a survey that addressed these questions. Across all participants, 53.4% said they wanted to change their life direction or were currently working on it, and among those respondents, 56.5% preferred support from a professional or digital companion. Results showed that lower life satisfaction, younger age, and identifying as a woman were associated with a greater likelihood of being motivated to change their purpose and a greater likelihood of actually making an effort to change their purpose, relative to not wanting to change their purpose. In addition, demographic variables helped distinguish participants who preferred support from a professional or a digital companion compared to those who did not.

Social Appearance Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction Relationship in Individuals Who Have Undergone Aesthetic Procedures

Objective: The study aims to determine the relationship between social appearance anxiety, self-esteem, and life satisfaction of individuals who have had aesthetic procedures. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on individuals who applied to a private clinic in Samsun. The study involved 284 people who received aesthetic surgery services. The data of the study were collected online between August 2022 and October 2022. Study data were collected by questionnaire forms prepared on Google Forms. Study data were collected through four forms, namely, the personal introduction form, social appearance anxiety scale, life satisfaction scale, and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. Results: As a result of the study, there is a significant negative relationship between life satisfaction and social appearance anxiety (r=-0.393). There is a weak positive correlation between social appearance anxiety and self-esteem (r=0.168). There is a weak negative relationship between life satisfaction and self-esteem (r=-0.173). Conclusion: It has been determined that individuals with high social appearance anxiety have low life satisfaction. It may be appropriate for individuals with high social appearance anxiety to receive professional support to improve their quality of life.

Study demands and resources affect academic well-being and life satisfaction of undergraduate medical students in the Netherlands.

Medical students report poor academic well-being in a context of high study demands. Study Demands-Resources theories have outlined mediating processes involving high study demands and low resources to mitigate academic well-being, which is subsequently associated with diminished overall well-being (i.e. life satisfaction). Furthermore, academic well-being and life satisfaction are also affected by interactions between study demands and resources (referred to as moderating processes). However, these mediating and moderating processes clarifying medical students' well-being still need to be investigated. Therefore, this study investigated the mediating role of academic well-being in the associations of study demands and resources with life satisfaction and the moderating role of study demands and resources in relation to academic well-being and life satisfaction among undergraduate medical students. In this cross-sectional survey study, 372 undergraduates from Dutch medical schools participated. The survey included the Study Demands-Resources Scale (workload, growth opportunities and peer support) as well as questionnaires on academic well-being (Utrecht Burnout Scale for students and Utrecht Work Engagement Scale-Student Form) and overall well-being (single item on life satisfaction). Based on Study Demands-Resources theories, (moderated) mediation analyses were performed. Mediating processes were found as growth opportunities were indirectly associated with higher life satisfaction through lower academic burnout and higher academic engagement. Furthermore, workload was indirectly associated with lower life satisfaction through higher academic burnout. This association was moderated as it became weaker with more perceived peer support. A high workload and limited growth opportunities are associated with suboptimal academic well-being and life satisfaction. Perceiving support from peer students slightly buffers the unfavourable effect of workload on academic burnout and subsequently life satisfaction. To promote academic well-being and life satisfaction in medical students, universities can consider to reduce the workload, to create a supportive learning environment and to offer development opportunities.

Loneliness and its cross-sectional associations with health, health behaviours, and perceptions in Finnish patients with overweight or obesity taking part in the Healthy Weight Coaching

ObjectiveTo investigate cross-sectional associations between loneliness and health, health behaviours, and perceptions in Finnish individuals with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2). MethodsWe used baseline data from patients participating, in 2016–2022, in a real-life digital 12-month weight management program known as Healthy Weight Coaching. Patients completed several questionnaires such as those related to loneliness, healthcare resource utilization, physical activity, and life satisfaction. BMI was computed based on self-reported weight and height. In addition to investigating individual health variables, we studied the association between loneliness and factor-analysis-derived health and wellbeing clusters. ResultsData were available from 2000 individuals (16.7% men, median age 48 years, median BMI 39.2 kg/m2). Altogether, 11.6%, 42.4%, and 46.0% reported feeling lonely, somewhat lonely, and not lonely, respectively. Feeling lonely was associated with higher BMI, greater healthcare resource utilization, lower life satisfaction, burdensomeness of life, more negative perceptions related to obesity and to the upcoming coaching, lower daytime energy, and reduced 20-min brisk walk results, a measure of functional capacity. Of the five factor-analysis-derived clusters, loneliness was adversely associated with “Life satisfaction” [lonely, 0.337 (0.270–0.421), p < 0.001; somewhat lonely, 0.545 (0.475–0.625), p < 0.001]. Moreover, loneliness associated with “Negative perceptions of obesity/daytime fatigue” [lonely, 4.627 (3.391–6.314), p < 0.001; somewhat lonely 2.021 (1.694–2.412), p < 0.001], and “Obesity/low physical activity” [lonely, 1.474 (1.105–1.966), p = 0.008; somewhat lonely, 1.220 (1.019–1.460), p = 0.030]. ConclusionsLoneliness had several untoward associations with health, health behaviours, and perceptions. Further research should explore the intricate relationship between obesity, loneliness, and physical and psychosocial health. Trial registrationThe trial is registered at clinicaltrials.cov (Clinical Trials Identifier NCT04019249).

Cultural stressors, acculturation processes, and mental health among adolescents in Korean multicultural families.

To ascertain, among a sample of Korean multicultural adolescents, the longitudinal predictive effects of acculturative stress and parent-adolescent conflict on depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, both (a) directly and (b) indirectly through Korean and heritage cultural practices and identifications. We analyzed longitudinal data from the nationally representative Korean Multicultural Adolescents Panel Study (MAPS; 2011-2016). The sample consisted of 1,433 households at Wave 3 (the first timepoint used in the present analyses), and 92.7% of families were retained until the end of the study. Adolescents completed measures of acculturative stress and parent-adolescent conflict at Timepoint 1, heritage and Korean cultural practices and identifications at Timepoints 2 and 3, and depressive symptoms and life satisfaction at Timepoint 4. Acculturative stress at Timepoint 1 predicted both depressive symptoms and life satisfaction at Timepoint 4 indirectly through Korean cultural practices and identifications. Parent-adolescent conflict at Timepoint 1 directly predicted depressive symptoms at Timepoint 4 and predicted life satisfaction indirectly through heritage-cultural practices and identifications. These links were invariant across adolescent sex. Among Korean multicultural adolescents, acculturative stressors inhibit engagement in Korean cultural practices and identification as Korean, whereas conflict with parents inhibits engagement in heritage cultural practices and identification with the foreign-born parent's cultural heritage. Decreased Korean and heritage cultural practices and cultural identifications predict increased depressive symptoms and lowered life satisfaction. These findings suggest that culturally stressful experiences can impair psychological functioning among Korean multicultural adolescents by undermining acculturation to both Korean and heritage cultural systems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Positive Youth Development, Mental Stress and Life Satisfaction in Middle School and High School Students in Portugal: Outcomes on Stress, Anxiety and Depression.

The relation between positive youth development and stress, anxiety and depression was studied considering the mediator role of psychological symptoms and life satisfaction. A total of 3109 students included in the "Psychological Health and Well-being" study of the School Observatory participated, including 1618 females and 1491 males aged between 11 and 18 years old (M = 14.45; SD = 1.88), belonging to different school groups in different regions of the country. Adolescents with higher stress, depression and anxiety levels reported lower levels of competence, confidence and connection, as well as more psychological symptoms and lower life satisfaction. The results also showed that adolescents with higher levels of competence, confidence and connection reported less psychological symptoms and more life satisfaction. Two separate mediation analyses were performed to analyse the role of mental distress and life satisfaction on the relationship between positive youth development indicators and stress, anxiety and depression. These analyses confirmed the predicted relationships and partial mediations between mental distress and life satisfaction. These results should be taken into account in public policies concerning young people's health and education that should involve both targeted and indicated prevention strategies, including school and community-based interventions, in order to be effective.

Evil-related threats and mental health concomitants among offspring of Holocaust survivors gay men

Objectives In view of the accumulated stress associated with the combination of intergenerational trauma and minority stress, we aimed to examine whether offspring of Holocaust survivors (OHS) reported stronger evil-related threats compared to non-OHS individuals and whether OHS gay men experienced stronger threats. We also examined whether sexual orientation moderated the hypothesized indirect effect of Holocaust background on mental health through evil-related threats. Method Participants were 346 middle-aged and older Israeli men (mean age = 60.56, SD = 8.42, range 50–86). Among them, 173 identified as gay men, and 81 identified as OHS. Participants completed measures of evil-related threats, depression, and life satisfaction. Results Analysis of covariance revealed that OHS men reported stronger evil-related threats compared to non-OHS men. Yet, an interaction between Holocaust background and sexual orientation indicated that OHS gay men reported stronger evil-related threats compared to non-OHS gay men, while no such difference existed among heterosexual counterparts. Conditional indirect effect analysis showed a significant indirect effect, in which Holocaust background related to higher depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction through evil-related threats among gay men, but not among heterosexual men. Conclusion This study sheds light on the particular experience of evil-related threats, focusing on older OHS gay men and the mental health vulnerability associated with it. In applied contexts, this might help identify a sexual minority group that is particularly sensitive to adverse mental health and offer it supporting interventions.

Caring for a parent with dementia: The psychological well-being of adult children

BackgroundCaregiving for a parent with dementia has both positive and negative influences on psychological well-being of adult children and perceived social support plays an essential role in dementia caregiving process. ObjectivesWe examined how the degree of caregiving intensity influences mental health among Chinese adult children then further explored how perceived social support influences the relationship between intensity and psychological well-being. Research design and settingCross-sectional study in Kunming, mainland China between November 2022 and January 2023. MethodsWe interviewed 320 adult dementia child caregivers. Linear regression and multiple mediation analysis using Hayes’ process model were used to assess the relationship between caregiving intensity and psychological well-being, as well as the mediating role of perceived social support. ResultsThe study found that caregiving intensity was positively associated with depression and negatively associated with life satisfaction. A lack of perceived social support exacerbated these effects for the adult children. Specifically, the caregivers reported higher caregiving intensity when they perceived less family support, which is in turn associated with greater depression and lower life satisfaction among the caregivers. Likewise, those who reported higher caregiving intensity was reported lower friend support, which was in turn associated with greater depression. Conclusions and implicationsThe findings emphasize the importance of social support, especially family support, and the necessity for health practitioners to provide targeted interventions on both negative and positive aspects of psychological well-being among dementia caregivers and to strengthen caregivers’ resources for social support to enhance their well-being. While these findings are cross-sectional, it is logical to assume that those who perceive less support feel that their caregiving responsibilities are more intense, and that intensity could cause the caregiver to withdraw from friends.

노인을 위한 유마니튜드 케어댄스 프로그램이 신체 유연성과 동적 평형성, 생활만족도에 미치는 영향

노인을 위한 유마니튜드 케어댄스 프로그램이 신체 유연성과 동적 평형성, 생활만족도에 미치는 영향

Prevalence, Correlates, and Comorbidities Among Young Adults Who Screened Positive for ADHD in South Korea During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: This study examined the prevalence, associated factors, and psychiatric comorbidities of adult ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing nationally representative data. Methods: Among the 5,511 respondents of the 2021 National Mental Health Survey, South Korea, 2,764 (18–49 years) were selected. The Korean versions of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, Composite International Diagnostic Interview, and Structured Clinical Interview for Internet Gaming Disorder were used as diagnostic assessments. Results: The 6-month prevalence of positive screens for adult ADHD was 3.1%. In individuals aged 18 to 29 years exhibiting adult ADHD symptoms, high prevalence rates of alcohol use, depression, and Internet gaming disorders were observed in the last 12 months. Adults who screened positive for ADHD reported significantly lower life satisfaction and resilience, and higher loneliness and social isolation (vs. non-ADHD group). Conclusion: Adult ADHD symptoms significantly influenced mental well-being, highlighting the need for an appropriate treatment/prevention system, particularly for individuals aged 18 to 29 years.

Predicting longitudinal changes in patterns of tobacco and nicotine product use among adolescents: A Latent Transition Analysis based on the X:IT study

IntroductionUnderstanding factors influencing the transition from non-use to tobacco and nicotine product initiation among adolescents is crucial for designing and implementing effective preventive strategies. This study explores transition patterns among 13–15-year-old adolescents in lower secondary school, focusing on the transition from non-use to tobacco and nicotine product initiation and the influence of individual, social, risk behavioral, and mental health factors on this transition. MethodsBased on data from a Danish smoking prevention trial between 2017 and 2019, this study employed questionnaire surveys at three time points: baseline (start of seventh grade, n = 1,990, response rate = 86.3%), eight-month follow-up (end of seventh grade, n = 1,666, response rate = 74,8%), and 20-month follow-up (end of eighth grade, n = 1,149, response rate = 70,6%). Tobacco and nicotine use indicators included current and lifetime use of cigarettes and lifetime use of e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and hookah. A latent transition analysis was applied to identify longitudinal transition patterns across waves and to explore predictors of these patterns. ResultsThree user classes emerged across all waves: none-use, lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette use, and poly-tobacco use. While the most prevalent class was the non-user class (71%–86%), the proportion of the lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette class increased over time (from 12% to 17%). Similarly, the poly-tobacco user class increased from 2% to 12%. The probability of transitioning from non-use to lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette use increased from 0.5% at baseline to 12% by the second follow-up, while the probability of transitioning from lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette use remained stable over time (12%–15%). Across all waves, elevated risk behavior predicted this transition. For instance, binge-drinking (OR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.51–9.34), susceptibility to smoking (OR = 7.63, 95% CI: 3.68–16.83), and truancy (OR = 7.00, 95% CI: 1.98–24.59) influenced the transition from non-use at baseline to lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette use at first follow-up. Additionally, boys, adolescents with low socioeconomic status, low life satisfaction, and those with smoking friends or parents were more likely to transition from non-use to lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette use. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that sociodemographic, social risk, behavioral, and mental health factors impact the transition from non-use to lifetime e-cigarette and cigarette use. The findings provide valuable insights for developing targeted preventive strategies focusing on these influencing factors.

Relations Between Social Camouflaging, Life Satisfaction, and Depression Among Polish Women with ADHD.

This study investigated the relationship between social camouflaging, life satisfaction, and depression symptoms in Polish women with ADHD. It aimed to fill a research gap in understanding ADHD manifestations in women, particularly focusing on social camouflaging-a concept known in autism, referring to strategies used to mask symptoms in social interactions. A total of 329 women with ADHD took part in an online survey. The survey measured ADHD symptoms using the ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS-vI.I), life satisfaction with the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and depressive symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Additionally, a novel set of questions, inspired by the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) but tailored for ADHD, was utilized to assess social camouflaging. Results indicated a significant negative association between social camouflaging and life satisfaction and a positive correlation with depressive symptoms, even after controlling for demographic variables. Additionally, factors like being in a relationship and having a positive subjective financial situation correlated with higher well-being. Reliance on self-report measures, the cross-sectional design, and participants' self-reported ADHD diagnosis are the main limitations of the study. The research underscores the importance of social camouflaging in understanding ADHD in women, suggesting that efforts to mask symptoms and meet societal expectations may link to lower life satisfaction and increased depressive symptoms. These findings advocate for continued research into these dynamics to develop more effective support for women with ADHD.

The effect of socioeconomic status, depression, and diabetes symptoms severity on diabetes patient’s life satisfaction in India

Evidence suggests that diabetes is on the rise in India, affecting many people’s life satisfaction. Comprehensive estimation of life satisfaction among diabetes patients does not exist in the country. This study examined the effects of socioeconomic status, depression, and diabetes symptoms severity on the life satisfaction of diabetes patients by controlling various demographic variables. It was a cross-sectional study comprising 583 diabetes patients from Punjab, India. Patients were interviewed using a multi-stage purposeful random sampling method. Descriptive analysis and partial least squares structural equation modelling were used in the study to test the hypotheses. Results revealed that socioeconomic status, depression and diabetes symptoms severity significantly influence the life satisfaction of diabetes patients. A 1% drop in diabetes symptoms severity corresponds to a 0.849% increase in life satisfaction, whereas a 1% decrease in depression results in a 0.898% increase in life satisfaction. Patients with higher diabetes symptoms severity were coping with common mental disorders. Women reported higher diabetes symptoms severity and depression than men, resulting in lower life satisfaction. An experimental evaluation of the effects of socioeconomic status, depression and diabetes symptoms severity, and numerous demographic factors on life satisfaction was reported. The findings will help policymakers understand the problem associated with life satisfaction among diabetes patients in the country.

Mood Tracker: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Self-Monitoring Intervention for Emotional Distress After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently experience emotional distress (ED) manifested in anxiety and depression. However, they may not access mental health services due to external (eg, access, transportation, and cost) or internal (eg, stigma and discomfort with traditional counseling) barriers. Based on substantial literature indicating that self-monitoring can ameliorate several health conditions, we conducted a randomized, parallel group, wait-list control (WLC) trial of a self-monitoring intervention to decrease ED after TBI. Community in the southwestern United States. Persons with medically documented complicated mild, moderate, and severe TBI. About 127 participants were randomized in blocks of 6 to an active treatment (AT) group, wherein they completed multiple assessments of ED each week over a 6-week period via a smartphone app, or a WLC group in a parallel group, controlled trial. Participants received weekly support calls to promote self-monitoring of ED using ecological momentary assessment. ED (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective. Analysis of the primary study outcome at 6weeks after initiation of treatment for the AT group did not demonstrate that self-monitoring was effective in decreasing ED as compared to the WLC group. Brief support calls made weekly to promote compliance with self-monitoring were effective in achieving the target number of self-assessments. About 80% of support calls lasted less than 5minutes. Greater ED was associated with lower life satisfaction and lower participation indicating the importance of addressing ED in persons with TBI. Additional work is needed to develop nontraditional interventions to circumvent barriers that prevent persons with TBI from accessing care for ED. Brief support calls may be an effective, low-cost intervention to improve compliance with self-monitoring or self-management interventions.

THE INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON MENTAL WELLBEING – A REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Introduction Currently, technological advancements have given most people unlimited access to social media. This has both many advantages and disadvantages. Social media significantly facilitate access to information and communication. However, social media can also negatively impact the mental health of the population. The aim of this study is to review the literature to discover the correlation between social media use and its impact on mental health. Materials and methods A review of the literature available in the “PubMed” and „Google Scholar” databases was conducted. The search was performed by using the following keywords: social media use, fear of missing out, social media depression, depressive syndromes. Results Unrestricted access to social media has become an integral part of human life. This has led to improper use of social media, which can have detrimental effects on mental health. Specifically, it increases the risk of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression. Moreover, it can lower self-esteem and life satisfaction. Additionally, it can foster the development of FOMO syndrome, which intensifies excessive social media use. Conclusions Further research on the impact of social media on mental health is crucial to discover effective methods of appropriate social media use. This will help in avoiding mental health disorders associated with social media use.

Coping strategies and adherence in people with mood disorder: a cross-sectional study.

Non-adherence to treatment recommendations is a significant problem, as it contributes to the progression of the disease and to the exacerbation of distressing symptoms. Failure to cope with the disease and elevated levels of stress, in turn, influence the choice of strategy for coping with a difficult situation, and thus adherence to recommendations. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of the subjects' stress coping styles on therapeutic adherence, life satisfaction, disease acceptance and quality of life (QoL) in people with mood disorders. This survey-based study included 102 respondents diagnosed with mood disorders, living in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. It was performed using the sociodemographic questionnaire and standardized tools: The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), The Short Form-36 (SF-36) Health Survey, The Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale (ARMS), and The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS). Some 47.06% of the respondents suffered from depressive disorders, while 34.31% had depression or mixed anxiety disorder. Patients who made greater use of an emotion-focused style were found to have significantly lower life satisfaction than other patients. Moreover, this style was related to such SF-36 domains as general health, social functioning, role emotional, vitality, and mental health, as well as to physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). Treatment non-adherence is a serious challenge in the treatment of patients with mood disorders. Individuals who do not adequately follow treatment recommendations often resort to alternative activities as a mechanism for coping with difficult situations. Patients who predominantly adopt an emotion-oriented coping style tend to experience lower life satisfaction and greater difficulty accepting their condition compared to their peers. Conversely, patients who adopt a task-oriented coping style report better quality of life than those who rely on emotion-oriented coping or alternative activities.

Further examination of the dual-factor model: characteristics of emerging adults with non-traditional mental health profiles

Traditionally, the mental health field has focused on psychological symptoms and distress, and health is considered the absence of illness. An alternative view suggests that optimal mental health must include the presence of positive characteristics in addition to the absence of illness. Accordingly, a dual-factor model of mental health includes measures of both psychopathology and positive subjective well-being to determine an individual’s mental health status. The current study investigated this dual-factor model by examining whether subjective well-being and psychopathology combine to produce distinct mental health profiles in emerging adults. A sample of 559 university students completed self-report surveys indicating their life satisfaction and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Cluster analysis yielded four unique mental health groups. The well-adjusted cluster included individuals with high life satisfaction and low internalizing and externalizing symptoms. The dissatisfied cluster consisted of individuals with low externalizing, but also low life satisfaction and slightly above-average levels of internalizing. The externalizing cluster had high life satisfaction but also high externalizing psychopathology, and the troubled cluster exhibited low life satisfaction and high levels of both psychopathology symptoms. The clusters also differed in their personality traits, coping responses, and automatic thoughts, with the most favorable pattern across all three dimensions exhibited by the well-adjusted cluster. These findings highlight the importance of considering positive indicators of mental health in addition to measures of psychopathology and support the use of an empirical classification procedure in determining the mental health status of emerging adults.

Perceived ageism and psychosocial outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundIn light of the existing knowledge gap in this research area (particularly based on representative samples and research conducted during the pandemic), the objective of this study was to explore the association between perceived ageism and psychosocial outcomes (i.e., in terms of life satisfaction, loneliness, social isolation, aging satisfaction and depressive symptoms) among middle-aged and older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic based on nationally representative data.MethodsWe used data from the nationally representative German Ageing Survey, which covers community-dwelling middle-aged and older individuals aged 40 years or over. Specifically, wave 7 of the German Ageing Survey (conducted from November 2020 to March 2021) was analyzed, consisting of a sample of 4,167 individuals with an average age of 68.7 years (SD: 10.1 years; ranging from 46 to 98 years). Established instruments were employed to measure psychosocial outcomes.ResultsRegressions showed that the presence of perceived ageism was significantly associated with unfavorable psychometric outcomes (i.e., higher loneliness: β = 0.29, p < 0.001; higher perceived social isolation: β = 0.32, p < 0.001; more depressive symptoms: β = 2.68, p < 0.001; lower life satisfaction: β=-0.28, p < 0.001; higher negative affect: β = 0.21, p < 0.001; lower aging satisfaction: β=-0.19, p < 0.001), except for positive affect (β=-0.06, p = 0.10). Stratified by age group (i.e., individuals 40 to 64 years; individuals aged 65 years and over, see Tables 3 and 4), comparable results were obtained in terms of significance.ConclusionsPerceived ageism was associated with unfavorable psychosocial outcomes. This knowledge can help reduce vulnerability to negative psychosocial factors in people in the middle and later years of life.

Negative perceptions of older adults and life satisfaction among community-dwelling older citizens in Japan

Background With the rapid aging of the population, increasing life satisfaction among older adults is essential. Negative perceptions of older adults are internalized, leading to poor mental health. This study hypothesized that participants with more negative perceptions of older adults would have lower life satisfaction. Methods A cross-sectional survey of older adults was conducted across five wards and four cities in Tokyo, Japan. Participants responded to questions regarding demographics, life satisfaction, and negative perceptions of older adults. Data from 285 participants (264 women, M = 71.97 years) were analyzed. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient for life satisfaction concerning residential areas was. 03 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [-.03, .10]). Instead of multilevel models, a multiple regression model with life satisfaction as the dependent variable and negative perceptions of older adults and demographics as the independent variables yielded the best fit. Results indicated that participants with more negative perceptions of older adults reported lower life satisfaction (β = -.16, 95% CI = [-.28, -.04], p = .008), supporting our hypothesis. Conclusions This study was constrained by limited variance in residential areas and a predominantly female participant pool. Previous studies have shown that higher life satisfaction is associated with increased social participation and extended life expectancy, and interventions aimed at enhancing life satisfaction in older adults are significant. Further exploration is warranted to ascertain whether a causal relationship exists, wherein more negative perceptions of older adults diminish life satisfaction.

Adolescent Residential Mobility and Life Satisfaction in Emerging Adulthood

Moving in adolescence could be a stressful experience, potentially disturbing development into adulthood. This study investigated the relationship between residential mobility in adolescence and life satisfaction in young adulthood, focusing on moving timing, frequency, and distance, using (retrospective) longitudinal German survey data (N = 2998, mean age = 20.18, 45.8% boy, 6.8% first-generation immigrant, 31.0% children of immigrants). Moving twice or more in adolescence was linked to lower life satisfaction in young adulthood, even after controlling for family background characteristics. Moving distance was unrelated to life satisfaction. Exploratory analyses showed that particularly for children of immigrants, frequent moving was related to lower life satisfaction. Since frequent moving in adolescence was more common in disadvantaged families, frequent moving could reinforce social inequalities into young adulthood.