Relative importance of key life domains in explaining life satisfaction among older adults

Life satisfaction is a key element contributing to successful aging. Limited empirical studies have specifically explored the nature of the relationship between domain-specific satisfaction and global life satisfaction among older adults. Furthermore, the existing literature is mainly based on cross-sectional analyses. This study aims to use longitudinal data to quantify the relative importance of key life domains in explaining global life satisfaction among older adults.

Data was drawn from the Health and Retirement Study in the US, including a total of 12,046 respondents (aged 50 years or older) followed for up to 3 waves. Global life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Five key life domains were studied. Hierarchical linear mixed-effects model, longitudinal dominance analyses, and mixed-effects random forests machine learning approach were used to identify the relative importance of five life domains in explaining global life satisfaction. Potential population heterogeneity is examined using sub-samples based on a number of current and early-life socio-demographic characteristics.

"Daily life and leisure activities" domain was found to have the strongest explanatory power for global life satisfaction, followed by "Financial situation", "Family life", "Health", whilst "Conditions of the place where you live" was relatively the least important domain. Heterogeneity was evident on sub-samples according to disability or health status, as well as exposure to early-life adverse events.

The findings enriched our understanding of what matters the most for older adults, and are relevant for informing more effective policy interventions to improve global life satisfaction for successful aging.