Examining correlates of life satisfaction among Indian older adults using household fixed-effect approach

Abstract Background Life satisfaction is one of the most important components of a person’s overall quality of life and a vital element of successful ageing. Few studies have previously attempted to investigate the level of life satisfaction among Indian older adults; however, the majority of them were at risk of omitted variable bias. This study, while controlling for household-level unobserved confounders, aims to investigate the correlates of life satisfaction among Indian older adults using household fixed-effect approach. Methods To achieve the objectives of the study, cross-sectional data from the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI, 2017–18) were utilized. Households with only one study participant were excluded from the study because household fixed effect analysis requires at least two respondents per household. The total sample size of the study was 14,307 older adults (Nfemale = 7259; Nmale = 7048) aged 60 years or above. Simple OLS regression model, random effect model, and household fixed-effect model were employed to assess the factors associated with life satisfaction among older adults in India. Results According to the household fixed effect model, age, education, functional health, food insecurity, and self-rated health were found to be significantly associated with life satisfaction. On the other hand, sex, marital status, working status, and morbidity status were not found to be associated with life satisfaction. According to the random effect model, among the household-invariant factors, place of residence, caste, MPCE (monthly per capita expenditure) quantile, and region were significantly associated with life satisfaction, while religion was found insignificant. Conclusion This study offers new insights on the predictors of life satisfaction among older adults in India. In order to improve the general well-being of the elderly, the study urges policymakers to address a number of issues, including functional health and food security