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Life satisfaction in late adult span: the contribution of family relationships, health self-perception and physical activity

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Abstract

Background

Life satisfaction is a crucial facet of subjective well-being, being impacted by different factors, such as cognitive and physical health, and social functioning.

Aims

This study intended to investigate the impact of satisfaction with family ties, education, negative mood and health self-perception on life satisfaction in late adulthood.

Methods

One hundred fifteen cognitively intact 75–101-year-old participants competed a battery of tools assessing cognitive efficiency and self-referent measures of life satisfaction, perceived physical health, negative mood and satisfaction with family relations.

Results

A series of step-wise regression analyses showed that satisfaction with family ties with and without perceived physical health predicted different indexes of life satisfaction. Moreover, more physically active participants reported fewer depressive symptoms and better life satisfaction with their time occupied in leisure activities than more sedentary respondents.

Conclusion

Perceived emotional connection with family members and a physically active lifestyle represent the most significant protective factors to boost self-reported life satisfaction in late adulthood.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Via Is Mirrionis 1, 09123, Cagliari, Italy

    Maria Chiara Fastame

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  1. Maria Chiara Fastame
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Correspondence to Maria Chiara Fastame.

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The author has declared that no conflict of interest exists.

Ethical approval

The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. Written informed consent was given by all participants prior to participation.

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Fastame, M.C. Life satisfaction in late adult span: the contribution of family relationships, health self-perception and physical activity. Aging Clin Exp Res 33, 1693–1698 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01658-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01658-1

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