Functional Capacity and Life Satisfaction in Older Adult Residents Living in Long-Term Care Facilities: The Mediator of Autonomy

BACKGROUND: Although relationships among functional capacity, autonomy, and life satisfaction have been identified, little is known about how the mechanism of autonomy mediates functional capacity and life satisfaction in older adult residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities. PURPOSE: The objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between functional capacity and life satisfaction in older adult residents living in LTC facilities and to test the extent to which autonomy mediated that relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with a convenience sample. Two hundred twenty-eight participants were recruited from 10 LTC facilities in Kaohsiung City. Four structured instruments were used to collect data: the life satisfaction questionnaire, the Chinese version of Perceived Enactment Autonomy Scale, the Barthel Activity Daily Living Index, and a personal profile datasheet. Descriptive statistics, t tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlations, and both simple and hierarchical linear regression models were analyzed. RESULTS: Positive associations between life satisfaction and functional capacity (r = .183, p = .003) and autonomy (r = .469, p .05), and the explained variance reduced from 3.7% to 0.1% between functional capacity and life satisfaction. The results indicate that autonomy is significant as a mediator. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: To improve the life satisfaction of older adult residents of LTC facilities, facility managers and staff should develop a self-support program that encourages older adult residents to participate in physical activities and maintain autonomy.