A Discussion on the Factors That Could Influence Life Satisfaction During Late Adulthood (Personal, Environmental).

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1. Introduction I know of two elderly people, both the same age. The gentleman, Robin, is 72 years old, as fit as a fiddle and mentally alert, ready to take on the world and contribute to society. He teaches part time at the university and gives his heart and soul to what he does, inspiring everyone he comes into contact with, leaving everyone hanging onto his words wanting more of his profound knowledge and experience and love of life. The lady is Susan. She is also 72 years old. She, however, never leaves her four-bedroom (empty) house, complains about the food prices, petrol prices and how the government is out to get its’ citizens. She is on chronic anxiety tablets and nothing is ever right and nothing is good enough. She is constantly sick and extremely negative refusing to get involved with society, always with an excuse as to why she can’t. How is it that some elderly people remain so positive and experience a positive level of life satisfaction and yet others, even at the same age, experience a low level of life satisfaction? What factors contribute to positive life satisfaction in the elderly? In this report we will look at the factors that could influence life satisfaction during late adulthood taking into account specifically personal and environmental factors. 2. Definition of Key Concepts 2.1. Life Satisfaction Life satisfaction is defined as “The emotional component of people’s attitudes toward their lives. It is a reflection of their feelings about the past, present and future”, (Ripple et al in (Louw 1998:522). It is the personal assessment of the overall condition of a person’s life, (McGuinn 2000:78). According to Gutiérrez, life satisfaction can also be defined as “a cognitive, judgmental process whereby a person makes an assessment based on personal chosen criteria. It therefore arises as a potential indicator of psychological

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