| The purpose of this qualitative research was to identify factors across the life span that contribute to life satisfaction in women 60 or older. This is in contrast to much of the past research on life satisfaction which looked at whether an older person was presently experiencing life satisfaction and what factors contributed to that present life satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Women (white and African-American), selected using a snowball approach, were asked to talk about their lives. The recorded interviews were then analyzed for themes that appeared to contribute to life satisfaction. Themes developed by this research supported much of the literature looking at present life satisfaction. A conclusion of this study was: For women over 60 who expressed life satisfaction in later life, the factors that appeared significant in this study were: Education, Religiosity, Positive Attitude, Volunteerism, and Family, including Happy Childhood, Father, and Siblings/Children/Friends. One factor not mentioned in the literature, but discussed by some of the participants in this study was a Grandmother Living in the Childhood Home. A second conclusion of this study was that experiences across the life span are related to life satisfaction in later life. The implications of these conclusions are to develop strategies to help women across their life span, so that they may experience life satisfaction in later life. Life satisfaction in later life is a lifelong issue. |
