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Life Satisfaction in Later Life: The Interplay of Marital Condition and Income among Elderly Koreans

Author

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  • Sung-Ha Lee

    (Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea)

  • Jiyoun Lee

    (Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea)

  • Incheol Choi

    (Center for Happiness Studies, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
    Department of Psychology, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea)

Abstract

Although both marital status and economic conditions significantly contribute to life satisfaction in later life, the effect of their interaction (or moderating) on life satisfaction has been understudied. Our goal was to examine whether marriage buffers the negative consequences of low income among elderly people. Using two large national survey datasets, the Korean Community Health Survey (n = 126,936) and the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) (n = 5687), we examined the relationship between household income, marital condition (marital status and marital satisfaction), and life satisfaction in Korean adults over 50. We found that increases in life satisfaction among individuals aged 50 and over were associated with higher income, marital status, and spousal satisfaction. We also determined that the beneficial effects of marriage, as well as marital quality, on life satisfaction are stronger in men. Moreover, separated/divorced status, but not bereavement or single status, moderated the effects of household income, such that the adverse effects of poverty were particularly pronounced among those who were separated/divorced. Furthermore, spousal satisfaction also moderated the effect of household income on life satisfaction among married men, indicating that marital satisfaction amplifies the effect of favorable economic conditions on life satisfaction. Because economic condition and relationship status are two key determinants of life satisfaction, understanding their interactions can improve overall predictions of life satisfaction.

Suggested Citation

  • Sung-Ha Lee & Jiyoun Lee & Incheol Choi, 2020. "Life Satisfaction in Later Life: The Interplay of Marital Condition and Income among Elderly Koreans," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3483-:d:349898
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. August, Kristin J. & Sorkin, Dara H., 2010. "Marital status and gender differences in managing a chronic illness: The function of health-related social control," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(10), pages 1831-1838, November.
    6. Jang, Soong-Nang & Kawachi, Ichiro & Chang, Jiyeun & Boo, Kachung & Shin, Hyun-Gu & Lee, Hyejung & Cho, Sung-il, 2009. "Marital status, gender, and depression: Analysis of the baseline survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(11), pages 1608-1615, December.
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    1. Willem A. Arrindell & Irene Checa & Begoña Espejo & I-Hua Chen & Danilo Carrozzino & Phuong Vu-Bich & Huong Dambach & Paula Vagos, 2022. "Measurement Invariance and Construct Validity of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) in Community Volunteers in Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Xiaofang Shen & Fei Yin & Can Jiao, 2023. "Predictive Models of Life Satisfaction in Older People: A Machine Learning Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, January.

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