The Impact of Role Valuation and Performance on Life Satisfaction in Old Age

This study examined the relationship between frequency of performance of valued roles and life satisfaction in old age. Also investigated were the relationships between life satisfaction and the subjects' perceived health status, and attribute variables of age, gender, education, income, and marital status. The subjects were 75 non-institutionalized elderly between the ages of 50 and 90. Three self-report instruments were used for measurement of the variables: a revised Role Checklist, a Life Satisfaction scale, and a personal history questionnaire. Spearman Rank Order correlation coefficients were computed to test the hypotheses with a significance level of alpha = 0.05. Significant and positive correlations were found between valuation and frequency of performance of nine of the ten roles. Although the primary hypothesis was not supported, the data suggest that further investigation into the relationships between frequency of performance of valued roles and life satisfaction is warranted.