Life Satisfaction Essay

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LIFE SATISFACTION INTRODUCTION Life satisfaction can often be understood as one of three different features of psychological well being; subjective, positive and negative effects. These aspects are known as hedonic well being when used collectively. The satisfaction of life stands together with the affective elements to capitulate a comprehensive understanding of psychological well being (Mroczek & Spiro, 2005). According to McGuinn & Mosher-Ashley (2000), life satisfaction can be defined as an assessment done by the individual on the overall conditions of their life. It can be seen as a reflection of their feelings about the past, the present and the future (Gerdes, Louw, Van Ede & Louw, 1998). Current research shows that many different aspects exist that contribute to the satisfaction of one’s life, specifically in late adulthood, ranging from personal or internal factors such as health status and activity, personality and personal control to environmental factors or external factors such as social support, living arrangements and socio-economic status, to name a few (McGuinn & Mosher-Ashley, 2000). With this in mind, the object of this discussion is to consider these factors and how they can be seen to influence the level of life satisfaction in late adulthood. PERSONAL FACTORS During late adulthood, personal factors can be seen to influence life satisfaction. These personal or internal factors can either be seen to have a positive influence on a person’s life as they reach the later stages of adulthood or it can be detrimental to the way that they perceive their existence. While there are many personal factors that could influence one’s life satisfaction, it is believed that health, personality and personal control play the most influential roles (Gerdes et al, 1998; McGuinn et al, 2000). Personality The role of an individual’s personality is

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