Year: 1981
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The authors studied the relationship between age and variables measuring satisfactions with specific domains of life as well as global satisfaction and happiness. Data from several large, mostly national, surveys of American adults were utilized. The results showed an increase in satisfaction with housing, community, work, and, somewhat less consistently, with finances/income, standard of living, and leisure/spare time. The increase was less clear for family, marriage, friends, and global well-being. Various explanations for the relationship were tested by multiple regression procedures, using two national surveys. Higher religiosity of the aged, increased desire to respond in a socially acceptable manner, and a lessening of change in life conditions appear to contribute to higher satisfaction. Although these factors individually represent only partial explanations, a combination of them accounts for a substantial part of the relationship. On the other hand, certain aspects of older people's lives are actually worse and, as such, suppress an even more substantial association between age and satisfactions.
Source: Research on Aging
Authors: A. Regula Herzog, Willard L. Rodgers
Institutions: University of Michigan, Institute for Social Research
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2142149333