Predictors of life satisfaction in frail elderly

ABSTRACT. This study examined the relationship between life satisfac-tion and physical status, emotional health, social support and locus of control in the frail elderly. A random sample of 99 low-income, frail el-derly living in the community was interviewed. Almost 40 % of partici-pants reported high levels of life satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis identified four significant predictors of life satisfaction: Perceived physical health, social support, emotional balance, and locus of control. Physical health emerged as the most significant predictor of life satisfaction ac-counting for 14 % of the variance. Social support, emotional balance and lo-cus of control each accounted for an additional 6 % of the variance in life satisfaction. All four predictors explained 32 % (R =.57) of the total vari-ance in life satisfaction. Implications for practice and recommendations are discussed. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Deliv