title: Sex differences in the association of physical function and cognitive function with life satisfaction in older age: The Rancho Bernardo Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the cross-sectional associations of cognitive and physical function with life satisfaction in middle-class, community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 632 women and 410 men who had cognitive function tests (CFT) and physical function tasks (PFT) assessed at a clinic visit between 1988 and 1992, and who responded in 1992 to a mailed survey that included life satisfaction measures. Cognitive impairment was defined as ≤24 on MMSE, ≥132 on Trails B, ≤12 on Category Fluency, ≤13 on Buschke long-term recall, and ≤7 on Heaton immediate recall. Physical impairment was defined as participants' self-reported difficulty (yes/no) in performing 10 physical functions. Multiple linear regression examined associations between life satisfaction and impairment on ≥1 CFT or difficulty with ≥1 PFT.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; range:0-26) and Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI-Z; range:5-35).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants' average age was 73.4 years (range=60-94). Categorically defined cognitive impairment was present in 40% of men and 47% of women. Additionally, 30% of men and 43% of women reported difficulty performing any PFT. Adjusting for age and impairment on ≥1 CFT, difficulty performing ≥1 PFT was associated with lower LSI-Z and SWLS scores in men (β=-1.73, -1.26, respectively, p<0.05) and women (β=-1.79, -1.93, respectively, p<0.01). However, impairment on ≥ 1 CFT was not associated with LSI-Z or SWLS score after adjusting for age and difficulty with ≥1 PFT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limited cognitive function was more common than limited physical function; however, limited physical function was more predictive of lower life satisfaction. Interventions to increase or maintain mobility among older adults may improve overall life satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Dr. San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ratigan
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. Electronic address: dsilverstein@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kritz-Silverstein
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barrett-Connor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Cognitive function; Life satisfaction; Physical function; Successful aging