Life satisfaction determinants of older males and females

A path analysis model of life satisfaction was proposed and applied to a nationally representative sample of 806 men and 753 women aged 65 years and over. Predictor variables examined were leisure activities, employment status, health problems, income, and transportation barriers. The analysis was conducted separately for the two gender groups. The strongest predictor of life satisfaction was leisure activities. Though the order of influence varied for males and females, income, health problems, and employment status also emerged as meaningful predictors of life satisfaction. In addition, for older women transportation barriers exerted an influence on life satisfaction. For both males and females, income and health problems influenced life satisfaction indirectly via leisure activities. The implications of the findings for gerontological theory, research, and public policy are discussed.