Citation: Neugarten BL, Havighurst RJ, Tobin SS. The measurement of life satisfaction. J Gerontol 1961;16;134-143.
PMID or DOI: N/A
Main positive psychological well-being construct measured: Psychological well-being
Sub-constructs measured: N/A
Available subscales: N/A
Description: The Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA) measures the psychological well-being in elderly, with dimensions such as zest for life, fortitude, congruence between desired and achieved goals, physical, psychological and social self-concept.
Number of items: 20
Example of statement/item: “I am just as happy as I was when I was younger”
Response options: 0 “Disagree”, 1 “Agree”
Total score: Items are summed, yielding a range from 0 to 20, with higher scores indicating greater levels of satisfaction.
Other forms available (and related citation):
A) Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age (LSITA-SF); (Barrett, A. J., & Murk, P. J. (2009). Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age (LSITA): A measurement of successful aging. https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/handle/1805/1160)
B) Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age – Short Form (LSITA-SF); (Barrett, A. J., & Murk, P. J. (2009). Life Satisfaction Index for the Third Age – Short Form (LSITA-SF): An improved and briefer measure of successful aging. Paper presented at the Midwest Research-to-Practice Conference in Adult, Continuing, Community and Extension Education.)
Examples of studies:
1. Roos, N. P., & Havens, B. (1991). Predictors of successful aging: a twelve-year study of Manitoba elderly. Am J Public Health, 81(1), 63-68.
2. Collins, A. L., Glei, D. A., & Goldman, N. (2009). The role of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms in all-cause mortality. Psychol Aging, 24(3), 696-702.
3. Kimm, H., Sull, J. W., Gombojav, B., Yi, S. W., & Ohrr, H. (2012). Life satisfaction and mortality in elderly people: the Kangwha Cohort Study. BMC Public Health, 12, 54.