title: Trajectories and covariates of life satisfaction among older adults in Taiwan.
abstract: The goals of this study were to identify different life satisfaction trajectory groups among the Taiwanese elderly and to explore the relationships between life satisfaction and time-varying physical, mental, social, health, and economic variables. The data used herein were from five waves of a longitudinal study conducted from 1993 to 2007. Those who completed at least three waves were included in the analysis, for a total of 2584 participants. A group-based trajectory model was used to analyze the data. Time-constant variables and time-varying covariates were used as the moderators of changes in life satisfaction trajectories. Four life satisfaction trajectories were identified: low (21.8%), middle (39.7%), increasing (25.9%), and high-declining (12.5%). Having more education and better physical and psychological health, social support, and economic satisfaction were predictors of a higher life satisfaction trajectory, and maintaining good physical and emotional health, having a spouse, and having better economic satisfaction were associated with an increase in life satisfaction over time.
authors: Department of Health Care Administration, Asia University, 500, Lioufeng Road, Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan, ROC. gingerhsu@seed.net.tw
authors: Hui-Chuan
authors: HC
authors: Hsu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan