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

Christel Borg, Cecilia Fagerström, Cristian Balducci, Vanessa Burholt, Dieter Ferring, Germain Weber, Clare Wenger, Göran Holst, Ingalill Rahm Hallberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

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 aged 65 and older with reduced activities of daily living (ADL) capacity in 6 European countries. A subsample of the European Study of Adults’ Well-Being (ESAW), consisting of 2,195 people with reduced ADL capacity from Sweden, the United Kingdom, 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 taking not only 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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-57
JournalGeriatric Nursing
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Bibliographical note

The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.
The record was previously connected to the following departments: The Vårdal Institute (016540000), Family Medicine (013241010), Caring Sciences (Closed 2012) (016514020), Division of Nursing (Closed 2012) (013065000)

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Nursing

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