life satisfaction and related factors in older adults: a cross-sectional study

This study aimed to evaluate life satisfaction and related factors in older adults. this cross-sectional study targeted elderly residents of the guilan province in iran. data collection took place between february and may 2015. the demographic information questionnaire utilized in this study was a researcher-developed instrument. the life satisfaction questionnaire employed in this research was adapted from the 13-item life satisfaction index-z (lsi-z) questionnaire. a total of 160 elderly participants were involved, encompassing diverse demographic and socioeconomic profiles. within the cohort, 51.2% self-identified as male, 38.1% possessed undergraduate degrees, 66.9% were in marital unions, and 68.1% were homeowners. furthermore, 66.3% resided with their spouses. approximately half of the participants (49.4%) reported an average economic standing, while 55.0% were categorized as unemployed. a noteworthy proportion (62.5%) acknowledged the presence of chronic medical conditions. moreover, 71.3% did not partake in daily physical exercise regimens. the average life satisfaction score among the elderly population was 11.81 (sd=6.29). additionally, findings indicated that 59.4% of the elderly participants reported a diminished level of life satisfaction. the examination uncovered no substantial differentiation in the mean aggregate life satisfaction scores between elderly males and females (p=0.396). conversely, a notable contrast emerged in the mean life satisfaction scores across occupational classifications (p<0.001) within this investigation. furthermore, significant variances were evident in the mean aggregate life satisfaction scores among four educational strata—specifically, illiterate, primary, secondary, and tertiary educational levels (p<0.001). additionally, a significant association was observed between marital status and life satisfaction scores in the elderly (p=0.001). in conclusion, these findings underscore the significance of addressing multifaceted determinants influencing life satisfaction in older adults, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions targeting specific demographic groups to ameliorate disparities and enhance overall well-being in later life stages.