Moderating effect of emotional support on the relationship between disability and life satisfaction in older adults

Abstract

The presence of emotional support might reduce the negative effects of disability on life satisfaction. These findings have important clinical implications, especially in developing better strategies to help disabled older persons to cope with their disabilities; with the hope that in the long term, a society with healthy longevity can be established. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 1361-1365.

Life satisfaction among older adult, long‐term cancer survivors: A comparison of Black with White survivors

“…Importantly, the number of continuing cancer symptoms has a significant direct effect on self‐rated health and a relatively strong indirect effect through functional difficulties. Prior research that suggests that specific health factors and perceptions are key predictors of life satisfaction is replicated in our model …”

“…Finally, it should be noted that by design the analyses presented here focus on survivor's personal characteristics and health‐related factors as they are related to life satisfaction. As such, we did not include any of the many other social, spiritual, and life circumstance variables that have been shown to be related to life satisfaction in the older adult population in general and among survivors specifically . Having examined how health and race affect life after cancer, we plan to turn out attention next to these broader sociocultural issues.…”

“…It has been defined as an individual's cognitive assessment of the fit between desired goals in life and actual life outcomes . A broad range of factors has been viewed as important predictors of life satisfaction such as health perceptions, illness‐related stress, disability, and pain . These and other health‐related factors may be of particular relevance for cancer survivors given the fact that many long‐term survivors continue to experience illness or treatment related symptoms and functional difficulties .…”

“…A broad range of factors has been viewed as important predictors of life satisfaction such as health perceptions, illness‐related stress, disability, and pain . These and other health‐related factors may be of particular relevance for cancer survivors given the fact that many long‐term survivors continue to experience illness or treatment related symptoms and functional difficulties . Education that has been shown to be linked to both health and life satisfaction is a potential important covariate.…”

“…Research in gerontology identifies a broad range of factors associated with life satisfaction in later life. Many are related to social life such as friendships and availability of emotional support, involvement in informal social activities, and the nature of the retirement transition . However, some of the most often noted predictors are linked to health and functioning such as exercise, physical activity, and leisure activities .…”