Satisfaction with Life in Mid-Age and older Canadians in the CLSA: Examining Personality and Minority Stress

Shawna Hopper, Nicole G. Hammond and Arne Stinchcombe ()
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Shawna Hopper: Brock University
Nicole G. Hammond: University of Ottawa
Arne Stinchcombe: Bruyère Research Institute

Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2022, vol. 17, issue 6, No 12, 3455-3473

Abstract: Abstract Satisfaction with Life (SWL) is an important component of healthy aging. We sought to examine the determinants of SWL in a large sample (n = 24,221) of mid-aged and older Canadians, with a specific emphasis on the roles of personality and minority stress variables. After accounting for demographic variables, we cross-sectionally examined the contribution of health-related variables, personality traits, and minority stress variables on a continuous measure of SWL. Health-related variables (i.e., self-rated general health, depressive symptoms, activities of daily living, social support availability, caregiving status) accounted for the most variance (24.6%) in SWL. Though accounting for only a small amount of additional variance, personality traits (1.4%) and minority stress variables (0.6%) were statistically associated with SWL. Openness to experience was negatively associated with SWL, whereas neuroticism, agreeableness, emotional stability, and conscientiousness were positively associated. In the full model, minority stress indicators were significantly associated with SWL. For example, self-perceived social standing was positively associated with SWL in the sample. Further, non-White participants reported significantly lower SWL than White participants. Additionally, individuals who reported a higher social standing within their community had higher SWL. Participants who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual reported higher SWL when compared to heterosexual participants. These findings highlight the importance of considering the social determinants of SWL to promote health equity for an aging population.

Keywords: Life satisfaction; Aging; Personality; Minority; CLSA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11482-022-10074-8

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