The Relationship Between Self-Directed Learning Readiness and Life Satisfaction Among Older Adults

Abstract

Readiness for self-directed learning and perceived life satisfaction were explored among a sample of 64 adults at least 60 years of age. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between scores on measures of self-directed learning readiness and life satisfaction. Further, while readiness for self-directed learning does not appear to be related to chronological age, a link with previous formal education does seem to exist. Those individuals who completed more years of schooling tended to score higher on self-directed readiness. The findings offer tentative support for the view that a relationship may exist between a tendency toward self-directedness as a learner and such issues as independence and quality of life during the later years.