Think positively and feel positively: optimism and life satisfaction in late life.
This study developed a dispositional path model of life satisfaction for community dwelling Chinese elderly living in Hong Kong. A sample of 117 elderly completed scales measuring life satisfaction, optimism, self-esteem, relationship harmony, self-construals, and perceived/expected health and financial status. Modeling revealed that life satisfaction was predicted by self-esteem and relationship harmony, which in turn were predicted by independent and interdependent self-construals, respectively. In addition, optimism predicted life satisfaction directly and indirectly through self-esteem and relationship harmony. Financial status mediated entirely the effect of optimism on life satisfaction. Health status was predicted by optimism but did not predict life satisfaction. Optimism is a key contributor to subjective well being because it fosters self-esteem, relationship harmony, and positive perceptions of financial conditions.
Leung
Beeto Wai-Chung
BW
The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Moneta
Giovanni B
GB
McBride-Chang
Catherine
C
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors