RESEARCH PAPER
An evaluation of life satisfaction and health – Quality of life of senior citizens
 
More details
Hide details
1
Academy of Physical Education, Gdańsk, Poland
 
2
Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
 
3
Chair of Neuropsychology, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University, Cracow, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Aleksandra Błachnio   

Institute of Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
 
 
Ann Agric Environ Med. 2015;22(1):147-151
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Modern medicine is still searching for the antecedents which will lead to successful aging. The article discusses the self-perception of life satisfaction and health of senior citizens. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between self-evaluation of life satisfaction and health by senior citizens in comparison to different age groups.

Material and Methods:
The study included 463 persons – 230 men and 233 women. The age of the participants was in the range 16 – 83 years. All participants were asked to fill the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire (Fragebogen zur Lebenszufriedenheit – FLZ). The FLZ questionnaire assesses the global life satisfaction of a person and health domain separately.

Results:
The results show age-related differences in the evaluation of life satisfaction. Accordingly, there is a significant change in health evaluations in different age groups, but there are no significant gender differences in health self-report data. The senior citizens’ assessment of general health, although the lowest among all the age-subgroups, showed significant difference only in relation to the people below 45 years of age. The significant differences in satisfaction from mental health occurred only for the elderly and participants aged 25–34 and 35–44.

Conclusions:
Life satisfaction is associated with subjective health evaluations. There are two domains (mental health and performance) that are positively evaluated by more than two-thirds of senior citizens. The observed differences challenge stereotypes and prejudices relating to negative aging process. Senior citizens can improve their control beliefs and develop self-regulation and coping skills.

 
REFERENCES (24)
1.
Stuart-Hamilton I. The psychology of aging. London & Philadelphia, Jessica Kingsley Publishers; 2000.
 
2.
Błachnio A, Buliński L. Prejudices and elderly patients’ personality – the problem of quality of care and quality of life in geriatric medicine. Med Sci Monit. 2013; 19: 674–680.
 
3.
Reichert M, Phillips J. The changing generational contract within and outside the family: Britain and Germany compared. In: Walker A,Naegele G (eds.). Social Policy in Aging Societies. Basingstoke Palgrave. 2008; 142–164.
 
4.
Błachnio A. Impact of older adults’ social status and their life satisfaction on health care resources. Acta Neuropsychologica 2011; 9(4): 335–349.
 
5.
Błachnio A. Starość non profit. Wolontariat na Uniwersytetach Trzeciego Wieku w Polsce in a świecie. Bydgoszcz, Kazimierz Wielki University Press, 2012 (in Polish).
 
6.
Kurpesa M, Krzemińska-Pakuła M. Choroby układu krążenia – odrębności wieku podeszłego. Pol Przegl Kardiol. 2008; 10(4): 326–331 (in Polish).
 
7.
Kowalska J, Cieślińska-Świder J. Efekty postępowania terapeutycznego u kobiet po 60 roku życia z zaburzeniami metabolicznymi. Endokrynologia. Otyłość i Zaburzenia Przemiany Materii. 2010; 6(2): 72–77 (in Polish).
 
8.
Salkeld G, Cameron ID, Cumming RG, et al. Quality of life related to fear of falling and hip fracture in older women: a time trade off study. British Medical Journal 2000; 320: 341–345.
 
9.
Bidzan M, Bidzan L, Pąchalska M. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease with a vascular component. Ann Agric Environ Med. 21 (2) 2013. 243- 246.
 
10.
Rowiński R, Dąbrowski A. Physical recreation in the relation of the functional efficiency and the quality of life of elderly people. Polityka Społeczna 2011; 44–50.
 
11.
Tesch-Römer C, Motel-Klingebiel A, Kondratowitz HJ. Quality of life. In: Lowenstein A. Ogg J (eds.). OASIS Old age and autonomy. The role of service systems and intergenerational family solidarity. Center for Research & Study of Aging The University of Haifa. 2003; 257–280.
 
12.
Skevington SM, Lotfy M, O’Connell K. The World Health Organization’s WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment: Psychometric properties and results of the international field trial. A Report from the WHOQOL Group. Quality of Life Research 2004; 13: 299–310.
 
13.
Idler EL, Benyami Y. Self-rated health and mortality: a review of twenty-seven community studies. J Health Soc Behav. 1997; 38: 21–37.
 
14.
Błachnio A. Jakość życia człowieka w zdrowiu i chorobie. Polskie Forum Psychologiczne 2005; 10(2):125–139 (in Polish).
 
15.
Steuden S. Okła W. Jakość życia w chorobie. Lublin, KUL, 2006 (in Polish).
 
16.
Bergner M. Quality of life. health status. and clinical research. Med Care. 1989; 27(Suppl): S148-S156.
 
17.
Pąchalska M, Mańko G, Chantsoulis M, et al. The quality of life of persons with TBI in the process of a Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program. Med Sci Monit. 2012; 18(7): 432–442.
 
18.
Cella DF, Tulsky DS. Measuring quality of life today: methodological aspects. Oncology 1990; 4: 29–38.
 
19.
Zeidler W. Zadowolenie z życia: inspiracje i próby konceptualizacji. Przegląd Psychologiczny 2011; 54(4): 323–342 (in Polish).
 
20.
Zeidler W. Kwestionariusz Zadowolenia z Życia (FLZ) (in press) (in Polish).
 
21.
Mikailiūkštienė A, Juozulynas A, Narkauskaitė L, et al. Quality of life in relation to social and disease factors in patients with type 2 diabetes In Lithuania. Med Sci Monit. 2013; 19: 165–174.
 
22.
Lachman ME, Neupert SD, Agrigoroaei S. The relevance of control beliefs for health and aging In: Schaie KW, Willis SL (eds.). Handbook of the psychology of aging. New York, Elsevier 2011; 175–190.
 
23.
Bouma H. Accommodating older people at work. Gerontechnology 2013; 11(4): 489–492.
 
24.
Pąchalska M, Ziółkowska M. Individual happiness in terms of process neuropsychology. Acta Neuropsychologica 2011; 9(1): 19–30.
 
eISSN:1898-2263
ISSN:1232-1966
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top