Morbidities, Self-reported Health, Purpose, and Satisfaction with Life in Older Adults

Morbidades, Autoavaliação de Saúde, Propósito e Satisfação com a Vida em Idosos

Morbilidades, Autoevaluación de Salud, Propósito y Satisfacción con la Vida en Adultos Mayores

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the prevalence of overall satisfaction with life regarding sense of purpose in life, morbidities, and self-reported health, and to identify their direct and indirect associations among the domains in community-dwelling older adults. The research has a cross-sectional design, and we evaluated 419 older adults. Morbidities were assessed using a dichotomous question; self-reported health and satisfaction with life were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale; and sense of purpose was assessed using the Ryff and Keyes 10-item scale. An analysis of structural equations was conducted using Path Analysis. The relationship between morbidities and overall satisfaction with life was mediated by self-reported health; purpose in life mediated the relationship between self-reported health and overall satisfaction with life. Beyond managing chronic illnesses, subjective assessments of health and well-being are key to successful aging.

Keywords:
aging; quality of life; chronic illness; aged