Life Satisfaction among Institutionalized and Non-Institutionalized Older Adults

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Abstract
This study explored the relationship between life satisfaction, several measures of health, several measures of activity level, and a measure of future orientation. Subjects were 30 institutionalized and 32 non-institutionalized older adults. In this sample age had no effect on reported life satisfaction, nor was there a difference between the institutionalized and non-institutionalized groups. However, males reported higher life satisfaction than females. Self-reported health status was related to life satisfaction, as was the number of days spent in bed during the past year. Finally, those who had made plans for things to do during the next several years reported higher life satisfaction than those who had no plans for the future. It was concluded that in this sample institutionalization did not influence life satisfaction directly but rather through health variables which are associated with institutionalization.