Key determinants of life satisfaction in older adults

• Main Authors: NUQOBA, Barry, TAN, Yi Wen, WONG, Yen Cong, LIM, Wensi
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2023
• Subjects: Life satisfaction; well-being; factors; social policy; Singapore; Asian Studies; Family, Life Course, and Society; Gerontology
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/rosa_reports/19; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/rosa_reports/article/1018/viewcontent/Key_Determinants_of_Life_Satisfaction_in_Older_Adults.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Life satisfaction constitutes a fundamental facet of wellbeing, exerting an influence on an individual's mental and emotional state (Zissi & Barry, 2006). Among older adults, elevated levels of life satisfaction are frequently linked to a more optimistic outlook, contributing to improved health and resilience (Khodabakhsh, 2022; Zheng, Huang, & Fu, 2020). This in turn enhances societal involvement, both in the professional and social domains (Khodabakhsh, 2022). It is also vital to acknowledge that life satisfaction is a multifaceted construct, intricately influenced by an array of external and internal determinants. Life satisfaction is essentially a subjective judgement and assessment of one’s present life circumstance. Considering that life satisfaction is a complex phenomenon influenced by several factors (Fox & Kahneman, 1992), there is a need to systematically evaluate potential determinants that positively affect life satisfaction. To achieve this, it is crucial to employ a rigorous data driven methodology while utilising a representative sample. To this end, the Singapore Life Panel presents a valuable opportunity for conducting this research. This nationally representative panel data encompasses a diverse range of lifestyle factors and is specifically focused on older adults in Singapore. This enables an exploration of potential facilitators of life satisfaction, allowing us to narrow down the scope and importance of key contributors to life satisfaction. This in turn can inform policymakers of potentially impactful measures that cater to the well-being of older adults in the country.