The effect of cognitive reserves on the relationship between life habits and life satisfaction in the very old

Mary Laudon Thomas

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Aging and Gerontology Research Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction Aging, Health, and Disability

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of life habits and life satisfaction with the influence of a moderating variable, cognitive reserves, in a group of older individuals ranging from 75 to 101 years old. Low to moderate levels of cognitive reserves moderated the relationship between life habits and life satisfaction, but at levels of higher cognitive reserves, the relationship did not achieve significance.The final sample consisted of 137 participants who were residents of one of five New Jersey continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) in central and northern New Jersey. Participants were interviewed and completed three surveys: 1) Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H 3.1); 2) Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age-Short Form (LSITA-SF); and 3) Cognitive Reserves Index Questionnaire (CRIq). They also completed a general social demographic questionnaire.Findings indicated that males (55%) rated their health as compared to women (36%), while females (22%) rated their health as compared to men (10%). Significant differences in life satisfaction appeared across age groups (X2 (2, N=131) =5.665, p=.05). Participants were divided into three groups for age: 75-83 years (M=27.17, SD=9.53), 84-86 years (M=29.44, SD=11.0), and 86 and older (M= 30.8, SD=8.54). Results indicated older participants reported less life satisfaction than younger participants. Simple linear regression was used to predict life satisfaction based on the subscale of cognitive reserves-working. Cognitive reserves--working was found to be a significant predictor of life satisfaction (F (1,136) =4.793, p <.05) with an R2 of .034. In performing moderation analysis, low to moderate levels of cognitive reserves were found to significantly influence the relationship between life habits and life satisfaction. However, this relationship did not hold for high levels of cognitive reserves. Life habits were significant predictors of life satisfaction in this sample (F (1,135) =5.211, p <.05) with an R2 of .037. These findings may have implications for geriatric and adult health nursing. Nurses can monitor for changes in perceptions of life habits, or abilities, that may signal a decreased capacity to carry out common activities of daily living. Additionally, nurses can identify elder adults at risk for cognitive decline and related safety issues and for possible decline in health status.