A Model of Happiness for Older Adults Living with Their Families

Abstract

Objective: Subjective well-being is important not only for adolescents or adults but also for older people. This study aimed to develop and to test a path model which consists of personality traits, loneliness, and perceived control for elderly individuals living with their families. Methods: In this study, cross-sectional and causal-comparative research designs were used. A total of 218 older adults, 108 females (49,5%) and 110 males (50,5%), with a mean age of 67,60 years (Sd: 6,43) completed the Adjective-Based Personality Test, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Domain General Perceived Control Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale, and PANAS Scale. Path analysis method and descriptive statistics were used, and a p value of (<)0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the results of the model analysis, standardized coefficients for the relationships between subjective well-being and independent variables were found between 0.10 and 0.38 (p<0.01). The values of fit index which related with the developed model (RMSEA .052, X2/Sd; 3,84; p <. 001) indicate that the observed data fitted well to the developed model. Conclusion: The subjective well-being levels of the older adults decreased in parallel with the increase in the levels of loneliness, neuroticism and conscientiousness. On the other hand, the subjective well-being levels of elderly increased in parallel with the increment in the levels of perceived control. The model developed in this research may be useful for specialists such as psychiatrists, geriatricians, clinical psychologists, welfare workers, geriatrics nurses in order to increase subjective well-being levels of older adults. (Archives of Neuropsychiatry 2011;48: 227-33)