Life satisfaction in later life: the role of economic security, health, and religious belief among urban Iranian older adults.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Social Work, Research Center of Social Welfare Management, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 2Social Development and Health Promotion Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
- 3Research Center of Social Welfare Management, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 4Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, Social Health Research Institute, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 5Department of Aging, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran. [email protected].
Abstract
Introduction
Life satisfaction in later adulthood is a central indicator of successful aging and reflects the overall evaluation individuals make of their quality of life. Previous research suggests that subjective well-being in older age is shaped by a combination of socioeconomic conditions, physical health, and psychosocial or cultural factors. However, the relative contribution of these domains, particularly in non-Western contexts, remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the associations between socioeconomic resources, self-rated health, and religious identity with life satisfaction among Iranian older adults.Methods
This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2,248 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years recruited from urban settings across Iran. Participants were recruited using proportional stratified cluster sampling with probability proportional to size (PPS). Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing life satisfaction, self-rated health status, socioeconomic characteristics, and belief in God. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with life satisfaction.Results
Based on an ordinal logistic regression analysis of 2,248 Iranian adults aged 60 years and older, life satisfaction was significantly associated with socioeconomic factors, self-reported health status, and religious belief. Greater income adequacy, higher educational attainment, and home ownership were each associated with higher life satisfaction. Regarding religious belief, individuals who reported not believing in God or being in doubt had lower odds of reporting higher life satisfaction than those who reported believing in God.Conclusion
Life satisfaction in later life is associated with a multidimensional interplay of structural resources, health status, and existential orientation. Socioeconomic security and religious belief emerged as significant predictors of well-being, after controlling for health status. These findings highlight the importance of integrated policies addressing both material and psychosocial predictors of aging well.
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BibTeX
@article{alipour2026life,
title = {{Life satisfaction in later life: the role of economic security, health, and religious belief among urban Iranian older adults.}},
author = {Fardin Alipour and Toktam Paykani and Hassan Rafiey and Meroe Vameghi and Shekoufeh Ahmadi and Vahid Rashedi},
journal = {BMC geriatrics},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12877-026-08062-w},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928113},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Life satisfaction in later life: the role of economic security, health, and religious belief among urban Iranian older adults.
AU - Fardin Alipour
AU - Toktam Paykani
AU - Hassan Rafiey
AU - Meroe Vameghi
AU - Shekoufeh Ahmadi
AU - Vahid Rashedi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/29
JO - BMC geriatrics
DO - 10.1186/s12877-026-08062-w
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42928113
AB - Introduction Life satisfaction in later adulthood is a central indicator of successful aging and reflects the overall evaluation individuals make of their quality of life. Previous research suggests that subjective well-being in older age is shaped by a combination of socioeconomic conditions, physical health, and psychosocial or cultural factors. However, the relative contribution of these domains, particularly in non-Western contexts, remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the associations between socioeconomic resources, self-rated health, and religious identity with life satisfaction among Iranian older adults.Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2,248 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years recruited from urban settings across Iran. Participants were recruited using proportional stratified cluster sampling with probability proportional to size (PPS). Data were collected through structured questionnaires assessing life satisfaction, self-rated health status, socioeconomic characteristics, and belief in God. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with life satisfaction.Results Based on an ordinal logistic regression analysis of 2,248 Iranian adults aged 60 years and older, life satisfaction was significantly associated with socioeconomic factors, self-reported health status, and religious belief. Greater income adequacy, higher educational attainment, and home ownership were each associated with higher life satisfaction. Regarding religious belief, individuals who reported not believing in God or being in doubt had lower odds of reporting higher life satisfaction than those who reported believing in God.Conclusion Life satisfaction in later life is associated with a multidimensional interplay of structural resources, health status, and existential orientation. Socioeconomic security and religious belief emerged as significant predictors of well-being, after controlling for health status. These findings highlight the importance of integrated policies addressing both material and psychosocial predictors of aging well.
SN - 1471-2318
ER -