Factors Predicting the Life Satisfaction of Older Adults: A comparative Analysis of Different Income Groups

Abstract

As the nation rapidly steps into the aging society, comprehensive understating on life satisfaction of older adults is critical to improve their well-being. Using data from the National Survey of the Elderly (NSE) of the 2014, this research investigated the predictors of life satisfaction among the elderly. A set of variables predicting the life satisfaction of the older adults was tested in the multiple regression models: (1) health condition; (2) social activity participation; (3) employment status; (4) informal social support. (5) formal social support. The relationship between independent variables and the life satisfaction of the older adults was further tested by households income groups: lower income, middle income, and higher income. Findings from this study have provided some evidences that predictors associated with the life satisfaction of the older adults are varied by income groups. In sum, contacts with friends, acquaintances and formal social support were significant predictors for the lower income group and middle income group. individual factors were significant predictors of life satisfaction for higher income group. Finally, implications for program development and policy were further discussed.