| The need to identify factors which influence the subjective quality of life of elderly women motivated the present study. Specifically, the effect of locus of control and social opportunity on life satisfaction and purpose in life were investigated. Social opportunity was defined as living in age-segregated housing (senior housing) as compared to age-integrated housing. Locus of control was measured using Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale for Adults. Life satisfaction was measured by the Life Satisfaction Index A (Neugarten, Havighurst and Tobin). Purpose in life was measured by the Crumbaugh and Maholick's Purpose in Life Scale.;In addition to hypothesis testing, some exploratory data analyses were performed. It was found that better health was related to greater life satisfaction and purpose in life. Elderly women living in age-segregated housing spent more time in socializing (talking on the phone, visiting friends and attending social events) than women living in age-integrated housing. When women were classified as gregarious (having friends or acquaintances) or solitary (preferring to be alone), gregarious women scored higher on life satisfaction and purpose in life even after controlling for differences in health and education.;The importance of promoting a more internal locus of control as a contributing factor to life satisfaction and purpose in life was discussed. It was pointed out that an internal view of life probably develops out of a long history of successful experiences in controlling the environment and that prevention rather than amelioration is the keyword for promoting life satisfaction and purpose in life for the elderly. Social opportunity is seen as facilitating life satisfaction and purpose in life for elderly women who already possess a positive outlook on life and desire social opportunity.;Multiple regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses that social opportunity and locus of control are related to life satisfaction and purpose in life. No statistically significant differences were found between elderly women living in age-segregated and age-integrated housing with respect to either life satisfaction or purpose in life. The relationship between locus of control and the two dependent variables, life satisfaction and purpose in life, was statistically significant. |
