Perception of well-being among older persons in nonmetropolitan America

This study examined the relationships of some selected sociodemographic variables to perception of well-being by elderly individuals living in nonmetropolitan areas in the United States. Data used were from the National Opinion Research Center's (NORC) General Social Surveys for the ten years between 1982-1991. Seven sociodemographic variables and six attitudinal variables were considered independent variables, and perception of well-being was treated as the dependent variable. Analysis of variance and multiple regression analysis indicated marital status, education, financial status, and religious attendance were significantly related to perception of well-being and five attitudinal variables increased the total variance accounted for in perceived well-being.