An assessment of self-rated life satisfaction and its correlates with physical, mental and social health status among older adults in India

Abstract

Life satisfaction refers to the assessment of one’s own life in terms of self-perceived favourable qualities. It is an integral part of healthy and successful course of ageing. It is widely associated with the health status and social well-being. The present study attempted to determine the constructing factors of self-rated life satisfaction, such as socio-demographic, physical, social, and mental well-being of older adults. We analysed information from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI-1), the initial phase conducted during 2017–18 for the population of older adults in India. We applied descriptive statistics for prevalence assessment and association was checked using chi-square test. Further, to determine the adjusted outcome of predictor covariates on the likelihood of an individual being satisfied from life estimated by applying hierarchical multiple logistic regression models. Several noteworthy affirmations on the relationship between the socio-demographic variables and health risk behaviours with life satisfaction were observed. The results were consistent with studies showing change in life satisfaction subject to the state of physical and mental health, presence of chronic diseases, friends and family relations, dependency, and events of trauma or abuse. While comparing respondents, we found varying degrees of life satisfaction by gender, education, marital status, expenditure and other socio-economic features. We also found that besides physical and mental health, social support and well-being play a pivotal role in achieving higher life satisfaction among older adults. Overall, this work contributes to the study of the subjective well-being of older adults in India based on self-reported levels of life satisfaction and further narrows the gap in knowledge about associated behaviour. Hence, with on-going ageing scenario, there is need for multi-sectorial policy-oriented approaches at individual, family, and community level, which helps to take care of older-adults’ physical, social, and mental health for the betterment of healthy ageing.

Sleep quality as a mediator between family function and life satisfaction among Chinese older adults in nursing home

“…Strategies that improve sleep quality may help promote life satisfaction for the elderly in nursing homes. This study shows that demographic characteristics such as age and marital status have no effect on elderly people's life satisfaction, which is inconsistent with the results of previous studies [ 77 , 78 ]. This finding is consistent with Van Damme-Ostapowicz's findings that age, education level, and gender did not affect older people's life satisfaction [ 5 ].…”

Healthy Living Behavior, Life Satisfaction and Social Support In Productive Age Individuals

“…Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between social relationships (family and friends) and life satisfaction, with varying levels of life satisfaction. Those close to their families and those with social activities had high life satisfaction (Bramhankar et al, 2023). A broad social network provides multiple resources, such as access to health information and the effective use of health services, helping individuals avoid stress or risky situations (Cohen, 2004).…”

Psychological Distress Mediates the Relationship Between Social Support and Satisfaction with Life

“…Therefore, it can be argued that having strong social connections characterized by mutual respect, empathy, cooperation, and support can directly enhance university students' life satisfaction by fulfilling their fundamental needs and consistently offering them positive experiences and emotions. Secondly, life satisfaction represents an individual's cognitive assessment of various aspects of their life, which includes but is not limited to social relations, the attainment of personal goals, and physical and mental health (Bramhankar et al, 2023;Gilman & Huebner, 2003). Consequently, life satisfaction is not solely determined by external factors such as an individual's current circumstances, conditions, and opportunities.…”