DETERMINANTS OF LIFE SATISFACTION IN LATER LIFE

The main aim of the presented study was to find the factors determining life satisfaction in later life. Life satisfaction was defined as subjective well-being with its components: subjective health, self-reliance and symptoms of depression. Social support and objective health status have been measured. Age, education and social situation have been also taken into account.The study was carried out on the group of 318 adults aged 65 or more (186 women and 132 men).The results suggest that there is only weak correlation between life satisfaction and objective health measures, and strong one between life satisfaction and subjective health. There is also weak correlation between these two variables. The findings concerning impact of social support on the life satisfaction are uninformative and need further investigations.According to our findings, there is a greatest positive impact of the education level on the life satisfaction of older adults.The age does not decrease life satisfaction level, although it increases level of health problems.