Health behavior among Polish institutionalized older adults: the effect of resiliency mediated by satisfaction with life

Abstract

Aim Resiliency and satisfaction with life are identified as factors related to health behavior in the general population. However, little is known about health behavior and its predictors in public nursing home residents. The purpose of the study was to establish the nature of the relationship between resiliency, satisfaction with life, and health behavior in institutionalized older adults in Poland. Subject and methods A cross-sectional study with purposive sampling was performed in public nursing homes in Poland. A total of 161 male and female senior residents aged 60 to 99 (Mean = 76.65, SD = 9.23) were examined. Mediation analysis was performed with the Hayes' PROCESS macro. Results This study revealed that resiliency, satisfaction with life, and health behavior are positively associated with each other in older persons. Satisfaction with life plays a mediating role in the relationship between resiliency and health behavior in residents of long-term care institutions. Conclusion Our findings underscore the important role played by personal resources in strengthening interventions and supporting the efforts of nursing home residents to engage in health behavior.

The relationships between wisdom, positive orientation and health-related behavior in older adults

“…female sex, higher level of education and satisfaction with economic status, play a role in taking care of own health in seniors 11 . Other research findings in Polish older adults also showed, that health behavior has multifactor determinants, and personal resources are notably important among them 12 , 14 .…”

“…Moreover, the potential relationships between wisdom, positive orientation and healthy lifestyle, raise the question of the mediating role of positive orientation in the relationship between wisdom and health-related behavior. Indeed, satisfaction with life, one of the components of positive orientation, was found to mediate the relationship between personal resources and health behavior in older adults 12 , 13 . Increased life satisfaction may motivate individuals to pursue positive life results and persevere in achieving their goals, potentially leading to a healthier lifestyle.…”

“…A particularly important group of health behavior predictors comprises personal resources. Research has found typical health behavior in older adults to be determined by personal attributes, such as resiliency, spirituality, optimism, and developmental task attainment 12 – 14 . In later life, personal traits may also affect health behavior by enhancing well-being 12 , 13 .…”