Socio-cognitive skills as a determinant of life satisfaction in aged persons

The purpose of this study was to explore the viability of a revised model of elderly life satisfaction, specifically evaluating the contribution of socio-cognitive skills. The role of such skills in relation to life satisfaction among aged persons has not been explored in research to date. Pilot data gathered from 60 community-living aged individuals indicated that numerous variables (e.g., subjective/objective health, education, financial satisfaction, role participation, subjective integration) significantly correlated with life satisfaction. However, the combined effects of two variables, persons' feelings of loneliness and isolation from their families and a measure of socio-cognitive skill, accounted for 49 percent of the variability in elderly life satisfaction. The effects of each on life satisfaction were unique however. Implications of these data and possible interventions for increasing elderly persons' life satisfaction are discussed.