engleski

Longitudinal Psychosocial Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Old Persons

The aim of this longitudinal study was to examine the predictive contribution of psychosocial factors to the life satisfaction in old persons. Life satisfaction has been regarded as an 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. Participants were 138 retirement homes’ residents in Zagreb, Croatia, 22% men, 78% women, aged 69‐100 years, on average 84 years (62‐93 years, on average 77 at baseline), mobile and not diagnosed with dementia. Variables were: sociodemographic, self‐ perceived health, functional ability, cognitive function, social participation, depression, and life satisfaction. The measurement was applied three times: baseline in 2008, and two follow‐ ups in 2010 and in 2016, individually, by trained interviewers, at retirement homes. Life satisfaction variable was measured only in 2016. Regression analyses results indicated that the observed set of predictors explained 21% cross‐sectionally, and 26% longitudinally of the life satisfaction variance. The significant cross‐sectional predictor was selfperceived health, and the significant longitudinal predictors were depression and cognitive function, adversely.

life satisfaction, old adults, psychosocial predictors, longitudinal study

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