Life satisfaction in 6 European Countries : The Relationship to health, Self-Esteem, and Social and Financial Resources among People (Aged 65-89) with Reduced Functional Capacity

• The aim of this study was to investigate how overall health, participation in physical activities, self-esteem and social and financial resources are related to life satisfaction among people (65+) with reduced Activities of Daily Living (ADL) capacity in six European countries. A subsample of the European Study of Adults’ Well-Being (ESAW), consisting of 2195 people with reduced ADL capacity from Sweden, the UK, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, and Italy, was included. The Older Americans’ Resources Schedule (OARS), the Life Satisfaction Index Z, and the Self-esteem scale were used. In all national samples, overall health, self-esteem and feeling worried, rather than ADL capacity, were significantly associated with life satisfaction. The findings indicate the importance of not only taking the reduction in functional capacity into account, but also the individual’s perception of health and self-esteem, when outlining health care and nursing aimed at improving life satisfaction. The study thus suggests that personal, rather than environmental, factors are important for life satisfaction among people with reduced ADL capacity living in Europe.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)