Does active ageing contribute to life satisfaction for older people? Testing a new model of active ageing

Sara Marsillas (), Liesbeth Donder, Tinie Kardol, Sofie Regenmortel, Sarah Dury, Dorien Brosens, An-Sofie Smetcoren, Teresa Braña and Jesús Varela
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Sara Marsillas: University of Santiago de Compostela
Liesbeth Donder: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Tinie Kardol: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Sofie Regenmortel: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Sarah Dury: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Dorien Brosens: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
An-Sofie Smetcoren: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Teresa Braña: University of Santiago de Compostela
Jesús Varela: University of Santiago de Compostela

European Journal of Ageing, 2017, vol. 14, issue 3, No 8, 295-310

Abstract: Abstract Several debates have emerged across the literature about the conceptualisation of active ageing. The aim of this study is to develop a model of the construct that is focused on the individual, including different elements of people’s lives that have the potential to be modified by intervention programs. Moreover, the paper examines the contributions of active ageing to life satisfaction, as well as the possible predictive role of coping styles on active ageing. For this purpose, a representative sample of 404 Galician (Spain) community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥60 years) were interviewed using a structured survey. The results demonstrate that the proposed model composed of two broad categories is valid. The model comprises status variables (related to physical, psychological, and social health) as well as different types of activities, called processual variables. This model is tested using partial least squares (PLS) regression. The findings show that active ageing is a fourth-order, formative construct. In addition, PLS analyses indicate that active ageing has a moderate and positive path on life satisfaction and that coping styles may predict active ageing. The discussion highlights the potential of active ageing as a relevant concept for people’s lives, drawing out policy implications and suggestions for further research.

Keywords: Active ageing; Satisfaction with life; Coping; Status variables; Processual variables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10433-017-0413-8

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