Predictors of life satisfaction among the elderly in General Santos City: Basis for an improved senior citizens program

• Main Author: Blace, Nestor Pabiona
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2009
• Subjects: Older people—Philippines—General Santos City—Psychology; Older people—Services for—Philippines—General Santos City; Satisfaction; Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/9272
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study determined the predictors of life satisfactions among the elderly in General Santos City. The results of the study served as bases in the formulation of an improved senior citizens program. The survey type of research design was used employing both the quantitative and the qualitative methods. The data were gathered from the 780 elderly respondents through the survey interview and the standardized tests. In-depth interviews were also conducted with the informal and the formal support networks of the elderly. The data gathered were analyzed through the mean, percentage, documentary and content analyses, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. The findings of the study revealed that the mean age of the respondents is 68.54. Majority were female, married, Cebuano, Roman Catholic and have reached elementary level of education. The mean income of the respondents is PhP 1,948.52, and their low income levels resulted to their economic dependence. Most are still living with their spouses and children and are independent in completing their daily activities with a mean functional ability score of 7.30. The respondents have a moderate level of participation or involvement in the various activities. Social support services are provided to the elderly by their family, relatives, friends and neighbors. The local government unit of General Santos City, the civil society organizations and the church also provide different programs, projects and services for the elderly. The elders find the different activities to be meaningful and such had contributed to their life satisfaction. Most of them are fairly or to some extent satisfied of their lives in general. The eight predictors variables included are the residence classification, educational level, income, functional ability, participation in the physical activities, participation in the activities with the informal support networks, participation in the activities with formal support networks, and participation in the various activities. When these are combined, they have a moderate correlation with life satisfaction and explain a statistically significant portion (23.7%) of the variance in life satisfaction. The results of the study have theoretical implications on the activity theory of aging which posits that high levels of participation in the activities mean high levels of satisfaction with life. The findings of the study served as the bases in the formulation of the different programs for the elderly.