Does life get better after middle age? Cultural comparisons of trends and key predictors of life satisfaction across the lifespan

Abstract

Background

This study investigated 1) whether there are differences in the trajectory of life satisfaction (LS) across the lifespan between British and Indonesian adults, and 2) which factors are associated with LS overall, and according to culture and age.

Methods

1355 participants aged 18 to 91 were included: 649 British and 706 Indonesian. Participants completed an online questionnaire examining LS, quality of life (which included physical health, psychological wellbeing, social relationships, and environment), depression, anxiety, and religiosity. Data were examined looking at all participants within each culture and then by further separating each cultural group into three age groups (Young adults/YA (18-39), middle-aged/MA (40-59), older adults/OA (60+).

Results

The trajectory of LS across the lifespan was U-shaped in British participants but followed an inverted U-shaped pattern in Indonesian participants. Regression analyses on Indonesian and British participants (when all ages were grouped together) revealed that psychological well-being, social relationships, and environment were significantly associated with LS in both cultures, but LS was further impacted by other distinct factors in each group, such as anxiety and religiosity in Indonesian participants and depression in British participants. On analysing the age groups separately some of these predictors of LS were no longer significant, or were only applicable to specific age group(s) and/or one country.

Discussion

Psychological well-being, social relationships, and environment are important variables which should be incorporated into LS interventions for both cultures. Addressing the distinct needs of different cultures and age groups may further help when tailoring LS interventions for these different groups.