Longitudinal psychosocial predictors of life satisfaction in old persons (original) (raw)

2016, The European health psychologist

Life satisfaction has been regarded as indicator of psychological adaptation in ageing, but also as linked to health. It has been suggested that positive emotions promote a more active lifestyle and a motivation toward self-care. Predictors of life satisfaction in old age, determined predominantly by cross-sectional research, were social engagement, self-perceived health, and depression, adversely. There are no conclusive results on longitudinal predictors of life satisfaction including social, physical and cognitive functioning in old persons. The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine the predictive contribution of psychosocial factors to the life satisfaction in old persons. Participants were 138 retirement homes’ residents in Zagreb, Croatia, 22% men, 78% women, aged 69-100 years, average 84 years (56-96 years, average 79 years at baseline), ambulatory and not diagnosed with dementia. Variables were: sociodemographic, depression, self-perceived health, functional abilit...