Exploring perceived social support, self-compassion, and life satisfaction as pathways to psychological well-being of older adults in rural Nigeria

Abstract Background Perceived social support has been identified as both protective and promotive factor for the psychological well-being of older adults in various contexts and cultures, yet these benefits of perceived social support may require other important factors to be transmitted to the psychological well-being of older adults, especially in understudied Nigerian samples. Methods We employed cross-sectional survey data from 350 older adults aged between 60 and 93 years old from a rural community in Nigeria to explore the potential sequential mediation effect of self-compassion and life satisfaction on older adults’ psychological well-being. Data was derived from the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Psychological Well-being Scale. Results After controlling for age, marital status, and education, perceived family support, self-compassion and life satisfaction were positively associated with psychological well-being. Life satisfaction was a significant mediator between perceived social support and psychological well-being, but self-compassion was not. Perceived support from friends and significant others associated positively with psychological well-being only through the mediating effect of life satisfaction. Self-compassion and life satisfaction also did not exert sequential mediation effect on this relationship. Conclusion The study concludes that older adults who perceive sufficient support from important sources in their social convoy may maintain high levels of life satisfaction and in turn may witness significant improvements in their psychological well-being. Concerted efforts should be tailored towards improving social convoys of older adults.