Near and far correlates of centenarian wellbeing

The current study's model, derived from The Developmental Model of Adaptation, investigated the associations of past influences, closeness to parents, and two assessments of current influences (religiosity and social support) on the wellbeing (depressive symptomatology and life satisfaction) of very old adults.

Cross-sectional data came from a convenience sample of 154 cognitively intact, community-dwelling, Oklahoma centenarians. SPSS was employed to assess descriptive statistics and associations among all constructs; Mplus was employed to test a mediational path model linking closeness to parents on life satisfaction and depressive symptomatology through religiosity and social support.

Social support was a current influence significantly associated with depressive symptomatology and life satisfaction, whereas religiosity only associated with life satisfaction - not depressive symptomatology. A significant indirect effect of closeness to parents through social support to life satisfaction was found.

The noteworthy finding of a positive indirect effect from closeness to parents on satisfaction with life through social support highlights the association of positive relationships with parents and the wellbeing for very old adults. This finding supports utility of reminiscence therapy and evidence-based programming focusing on strong parent-child relationships.