Life satisfaction of socially active older adults aged 60–89: the role of health status, individual, and environmental factors
- 1Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, Poland
- 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Opole, Opole, Poland
- 3Silesian Centre for Heart Diseases in Zabrze, Zabrze, Poland
Abstract
Background: The aging population presents significant challenges for public health and social policy, particularly in the context of maintaining life satisfaction in later life. This study aimed to assess life satisfaction among socially active older adults aged 60–89 in Poland, with particular emphasis on health status, individual characteristics, and environmental factors.
Methods: The study included 405 participants engaged in organized social activities such as universities of the third age and senior clubs. Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods.
Results: The findings indicate that life satisfaction was significantly associated with health status, particularly the presence of chronic diseases and subjective health assessment. Individuals without chronic conditions reported the highest levels of life satisfaction, while those with mental and behavioral disorders reported the lowest. Multimorbidity was negatively correlated with life satisfaction, whereas subjective health assessment showed a positive relationship. Social factors also played an important role. Higher levels of life satisfaction were observed among individuals living with family members and those residing in rural areas. No significant differences were found with respect to age, gender, or education level.
Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of health and social context in shaping life satisfaction in later life and suggest the need for integrated interventions supporting both physical and mental well-being among older adults.
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-08069-3.
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BibTeX
@article{michalikmarcinkowska2026life,
title = {{Life satisfaction of socially active older adults aged 60–89: the role of health status, individual, and environmental factors}},
author = {Urszula Michalik-Marcinkowska and Weronika Hariasz and Agnieszka Gontkowska and Stefania Włoczka},
journal = {BMC Geriatrics},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12877-026-08069-3},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-08069-3},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Life satisfaction of socially active older adults aged 60–89: the role of health status, individual, and environmental factors
AU - Urszula Michalik-Marcinkowska
AU - Weronika Hariasz
AU - Agnieszka Gontkowska
AU - Stefania Włoczka
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/11
JO - BMC Geriatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12877-026-08069-3
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-08069-3
AB - Background: The aging population presents significant challenges for public health and social policy, particularly in the context of maintaining life satisfaction in later life. This study aimed to assess life satisfaction among socially active older adults aged 60–89 in Poland, with particular emphasis on health status, individual characteristics, and environmental factors. Methods: The study included 405 participants engaged in organized social activities such as universities of the third age and senior clubs. Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Data were analyzed using non-parametric statistical methods. Results: The findings indicate that life satisfaction was significantly associated with health status, particularly the presence of chronic diseases and subjective health assessment. Individuals without chronic conditions reported the highest levels of life satisfaction, while those with mental and behavioral disorders reported the lowest. Multimorbidity was negatively correlated with life satisfaction, whereas subjective health assessment showed a positive relationship. Social factors also played an important role. Higher levels of life satisfaction were observed among individuals living with family members and those residing in rural areas. No significant differences were found with respect to age, gender, or education level. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of health and social context in shaping life satisfaction in later life and suggest the need for integrated interventions supporting both physical and mental well-being among older adults. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-026-08069-3.
SN - 1471-2318
ER -