Learner Autonomy and Selected Demographic Characteristics as They Relate to Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults in Malaysia

Abstract

Malaysia currently has about three million senior citizens. United Nations statistics show that Malaysia is likely to reach aging nation status by the year 2035. It is important to address the issues that may have impact on the needs and concerns of this growing population. This study examined the relationships of life satisfaction, learner autonomy, and selected demographic variables of older adults in the state of Kelantan, Malaysia. A convenience sample of 111 adults, age 50 or older, participated in this survey. Statistical analyses assessed relationships of demographic variables to Learner Autonomy Profile and Life Satisfaction Scores. Findings reveal ethnicity, education level and living area correlate significantly with the learner autonomy scores. Only education level was found to significantly correlate with life satisfaction. Results indicate a significant relationship of learner autonomy scores and life satisfaction scores. Implications for practice and recommendations for further study and public policy emphases are discussed.According to a United Nations (2013) report, the current world population of 7.2 billion is projected to increase by 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach 9.6 billion by 2050. Overall, life expectancy is projected to increase in developed and developing countries in future years. At the global level, it is projected to reach 76 years in the period 2045-2050 and 82 years in 2095-2100. Rapid declines in fertility and increases in life expectancy have created a rapidly aging society. Malaysia currently has about three million senior citizens, and the number is rising. Statistics show that Malaysia is likely to reach ageing nation status, with at least 15% of the population being 60 or more years of age, by the year 2035 (United Nations, 2013).Over the past several decades, gerontological research has been emphasizing the issue of life satisfaction. Aging research has predominantly focused on issues of the physical, psychological, social, and economic status of older adults. These questions have led to an increased understanding of the processes and problems of aging and to the development of strategies designed to maximize the potential of the later years of these older adults.

Learner Autonomy of Pre-Service Teachers and its Associations with Academic Motivation and Self-Efficacy

“…In a similar manner, despite the importance and contributions of the environment, it is the decisions and choices of individuals that determine their autonomous learning levels. On the other hand, in a study conducted on older Malaysians, Ng and Confessore (2015) determined that the autonomous learning levels of older people living in urban areas were significantly higher than those living in rural areas, which in part contradicts with the results of the present study. In conclusion, independent from the places where individuals live and their income, autonomous learning can be increased by implementing appropriate activities and giving them responsibility for their own learning.…”

“…The autonomous learning levels of the participants did not differ significantly in terms of age and grade levels. This finding concurs with the results of other studies (Ng & Confessore, 2015;O'Reilly, 2014) and demonstrates that autonomous learning is independent of age. It suggests that experts, researchers, or teachers should carry out activities to increase the autonomous learning of individuals at all levels of education, at any age.…”

“…O'Reilly (2014) found no significant relationship between age and perceived autonomy support. Similarly, Ng and Confessore (2015) were unable to determine a significant relationship between age and learner autonomy. Age and grade level were investigated in the present study.…”

Role of Social Determinants of Health in Psychological Distress and Readiness for Online Learning Among College Filipino Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study

“…Some studies do not appear to indicate a relationship between the two constructs (Alkorashy & Assi, 2016). A similar study by Ng and Confessore (2015) show a negative but non-significant relationship between living arrangements and learner autonomy.…”

Do Personal Strengths and Weaknesses Impact Subjective Well-being of Elderly?

“…Presently, subjective well-being ponders as a contentious issue for older people because of insufficiency in intergenerational social support and social connectedness (Moosa, 2016). According to Ng and Confessore (2015) subjective well-being connected with life satisfaction and it is growing issue in Malaysian older adults that require attention for the betterment of them. Mohamad et al (2016) proves that subjective well-being highly correlated with intergenerational social support and loneliness, particularly in Malaysian institutionalized elders and it is obligated to address.…”