title: Subjective well-being amongst community-dwelling elders: what determines satisfaction with life? Findings from the Dublin Healthy Aging Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Life satisfaction is a subjective expression of well-being and successful aging. Subjective well-being is a major determinant of health outcomes in older people. The aim of this study was to determine which factors predicted well-being in older people living in the community as measured by their satisfaction with life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relationship between life satisfaction, as measured by the Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-A) and physical, cognitive and demographic variables was examined in 466 older people living in the community using a stepwise regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression, loneliness, neuroticism, extraversion, recent participation in physical activity, age and self-reported exhaustion, were the independent predictors of life satisfaction in our elderly cohort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective well-being, as measured by the Life Satisfaction Scale, is predicted by depression, loneliness, personality traits, recent participation in physical activity and self-reported exhaustion. The mental and emotional status of older individuals, as well as their engagement in physical activity, are as important as physical functionality when it comes to life satisfaction as a measure of well-being and successful aging. These areas represent key targets for intervention.
authors.affiliation: Mercer's Institute for Research on Ageing, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. ainemullen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Aine M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ní Mhaoláin
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: O Connell
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Teehee
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coen
authors.forename: Davis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Coakley
authors.forename: Conal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Lawlor
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011581:Psychological Tests