Life satisfaction of Korean older adults: The roles of chronological and subjective age and appearance management

Abstract

I addressed previous contradictory findings that people aged 65 and over (vs. younger age groups) have lower life satisfaction, in contrast to the well-being paradox in older age, whereby there is an increase in life satisfaction among people in this age group. Thus, I investigated the effects of age and appearance management on the life satisfaction of 364 Koreans aged 65 years and over, who completed a survey in which they gave their age (chronological and subjective), and responded to items on appearance management, life satisfaction, and demographic characteristics. Results of my preliminary analysis showed that economic status, age, and appearance management were related to life satisfaction. However, multiple regression analysis results showed that only subjective age and appearance management significantly explained overall satisfaction with life. A practical implication of the results is that perceptions of people aged 65 and over, including their subjective rather than chronological age, and behavior, such as appearance management, should be managed together by mental health services.