Results provide qualified support for the multidimensional approach to life satisfaction and for the independence of each dimension. Problems with activity theory and attendent measures may be responsible for this qualification. (BEF)

Effects of health and income on life satisfaction were analyzed. Financial situation was a slightly stronger predictor of life satisfaction for persons under age 65, whereas health condition had a stronger impact on the life satisfaction of persons over age 64. (Author)

Indirect self-destructive behavior (ISDB) is associated with direct suicide potential, dissatisfaction with the treatment program and with life in general, confused reasoning and judgment, poor prognosis for discharge, the absence of religious commitment, and significant losses in the patient's life. ISDB is an alternative form of suicide. (Author)

Some individuals adjust well to retirement despite few material possessions and health deterioration, while others have many possessions and good health and are still unhappy. To determine the factors that influence an older adult's satisfaction with retirement, a measure of an individual's status was developed, and the resulting questionnaire was…

Investigates net effect of marital satisfaction on morale for a sample of married residents aged 60 and over. Results indicate existence of a positive effect and this effect appears notably stronger for females. (Author)

Examined the differential effect of kinship and friendship relationships on the life satisfaction of older people. The data indicated the relatively greater importance of friends over grandchildren for maintaining morale in old age. (Author)

Attempts to replicate research on the activity theory of aging. Behaviorally based activity scales were drawn from daily activity inventories of residents of three retirement communities. Findings support the activity theory. Informal activities had the most positive affect on respondents' life satisfaction. (Author/JAC)

Evaluated a causal model of life satisfaction by using four data sets with sample sizes ranging from 961-3,996. The proposed structural model fit the male and female samples and results were replicated across the four data sets. No systematic sex differences were found in terms of structural parameters. (Author/RC)

These interviews, edited from tapes made in the field, convey, albeit optimistically, the harsh realities of poverty and withal, the resilience and strength that some elderly can clearly muster. (Author)

Purpose: We examine the psychometric properties of the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale (PGMS) in an elderly Chinese population in Hong Kong. Design and Methods: The study consisted of two cohorts: (a) 759 participants aged 70 years and older living in the community who were recruited as part of a territory-wide health survey and interviewed in…

Residents of an age-segregated housing project share their feelings on aging. Most accept their life- style and express a certain amount of fatalism regarding the future. They value autonomy. Services for the elderly must be provided in a way to encourage independence and allow choices. (JAC)

Compared neighborhood perceptions and use and social network involvement in urban and suburban older people. Urban older people reported more frequent interactions with friends, greater dissatisfaction with friendships and greater organizational participation. Informal social relationships were related to elderly urbanites' morale but had…

Assessed the relationships between a life satisfaction index and social/demographic/psychological factors in older adults. Results showed marital status, occupational prestige, years of formal education, race, annual income, and a variety of specific satisfaction with life measures were related to successful aging. (Author)

Research has begun to define the older adult population, not as a homogeneous sample, but as at least two groups with different concerns. To determine the factors contributing to retirement satisfaction, two groups of retirees, i.e., young-olds, aged 75 and under (N=49) and old-olds, over age 75 (N=49), completed the Individual Status Assessment…

Conclusions were that: (1) meanings of mental health constructs cluster differently depending on the analysis; (2) happiness may be considered the most apposite representative of the mental health constructs employed by gerontologists; and (3) contemporary models of happiness favor neither the expansionist nor contractionist positions as a means…