The study of subjective life quality and subjective well-being in late ontogenesis

Abstract

Currently, the problem of finding ways of positive/optimal functioning of the personality is becoming highly relevant. This is particularly significant in late ontogenesis. The paper deals with the results of an empirical research, the purpose of which was to study the features of subjective well-being and health-related quality of life of people aged 49-93 who permanently reside (more than 1 year) in a geriatric center. A total sample (N = 155) is analyzed in subgroups depending on gender, age (49-64 years; 65-74 years; 75-93 years) and objective health status (disability group or its absence). The following methods were used: SF-36 Health Status Survey, Subjective Happiness Scale by S. Lyubomirsky, Satisfaction with Life Scale by E. Diener. The health self-esteem is shown to be rather low and is characterized by heterogeneity, while the level of subjective well-being corresponds to the average interval. Health-related quality of life, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness are correlated. Men rate their health higher than women on all indicators. With increasing age, health-related quality of life decreases (except for the indicator “Physical functioning” (PF)). At the same time, there are gender differences in dynamics. Health self-esteem has no connection with the objective state of somatic health, except for the indicator “Physical functioning” (PF). Satisfaction with life and subjective happiness have no correlations with chronological age, as well as they have no differences in groups of people of different ages and genders. The objective state of health does not affect satisfaction with life but affects subjective happiness. The presence of deficit aspects (high chronological age and the 1st disability group) manifests itself an increasing number of correlations between subjective well-being and health-related quality of life. In general, it can be noted that people with different objective and subjective health assessments feel happy and satisfied with their lives. This, in our opinion, is provided by relying on intrapersonal resources. The research contributes to the formation of the idea of the aging as a period of development and the subjective resources of successful aging as well.