| The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of social support, provided by marriage partners, children, and friends, on the life satisfaction of adults 65 years of age and older. A survey design was used to study a convenience sample of homogenous elderly adults (n = 106) from 5 senior citizen centers in Orange County, California. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire and 3 standardized tools measuring family support (husbands and children), social support (friends), and life satisfaction. The relationship between social support and the quality of life was supported. Results indicated that participants, who scored higher on both the Perceived Social Support Friend Scale and Perceived Social Support Family, scored higher on the Life Satisfaction Index-Z. Participants reported a significantly higher level of life satisfaction with support provided by friends. Results indicated that family support did not have a significant effect on life satisfaction (r = .143, p = 0.210). However, there was a moderately strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between social support provided by friends and higher levels of life satisfaction (r = .481, p = 0.001). There was also a moderately strong positive, and statistically significant relationship between a combination of social support from both family and friends and greater life satisfaction (r = .608, p = 0.001). A longitudinal research study, using random sampling, and a current social support instrument could be used to broaden the knowledge of the effects of social support on the life satisfaction of older adults. |
