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Extroversion, social support and life satisfaction in old age: a mediation model
Cristina G Dumitrache1, Laura Rubio2, Ramona Rubio-Herrera1
1a Department of Developmental and Educational Psychology , University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
Aging & Mental Health
|June 1, 2017
Summary
Extroversion in older adults positively influences life satisfaction by enhancing emotional and affectionate social support. These support types act as key mediators in this relationship, highlighting the importance of social connections for well-being in later life.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Personality traits, such as extroversion, are increasingly recognized as significant factors in the well-being of older adults.
- Social support is a critical component of successful aging and life satisfaction in later life.
- Understanding the interplay between personality, social support, and life satisfaction is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive relationship between extroversion and social support among community-dwelling older adults.
- To determine whether different types of social support mediate the influence of extroversion on life satisfaction in this demographic.
- To explore the psychological mechanisms underlying the association between personality and well-being in aging.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 406 community-dwelling older adults from urban areas.
- Statistical analyses, including correlation and multiple mediation analysis, were employed.
- Key variables measured included extroversion, emotional support, affectionate support, and life satisfaction, controlling for age, gender, marital status, and loneliness.
Main Results:
- Extroversion showed a positive correlation with both emotional (r = .23) and affectionate support (r = .30).
- Extroversion and all measured types of social support were positively associated with life satisfaction.
- Emotional and affectionate support significantly mediated the relationship between extroversion and life satisfaction, even after controlling for covariates.
Conclusions:
- Supportive social relations are vital for enhancing life satisfaction in older adults.
- Emotional and affectionate support play a crucial role in explaining the indirect effect of extroversion on life satisfaction.
- Personality traits, particularly extroversion, should be integrated into interventions designed to promote life satisfaction and successful aging.
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