Abstract
Correlates of subjective well-being of the elderly were scrutinized in a national representative sample of elderly community residents. A stratified multistage random sampling yielded 2,240 eligible persons, and 80.8% of them were successfully interviewed. In the present study, data of 1,510 subjects responded by themselves without missing observations were analyzed.
Covariance structure model analysis (structural equation model) was performed with a model consisted of 3 exogenous and 9 endogenous variables. The model was improved through a hierarchical deletion of parameters until Chi-square/df ratio reached 2.0. The endogenous outcome variable was life satisfaction measured by the Life Satisfaction Index K.
Three variables having significant direct effects upon life satisfaction were identified. The variables were functional health status, income, and coresidence with married child(ren). The effects of functional health status and income were positive, and the subjects living together with married child(ren) in the same household showed higher life satisfaction than those without co-residing child(ren). Social networks did not have direct effects upon life satisfaction.
These results seem to confirm the findings of previous studies. However, given the lack of direct effects of social networks and the small value of multiple correlation coefficient of life satisfaction (R=.28), new instruments to measure social environment of elderly persons need to be developed.
