Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction of Elderly in Sukoharjo Region, Indonesia

Abstract

The majority of Indonesia elderly have difficulty in supporting themselves. Because of their lack of earning, a large number of them have to rely on family support, whereas 32 per cent self-employed. It is affecting to their life satisfaction. The aim of study was to scrutinize relation between psychosocial factor, economic capacity and life satisfaction, and to explore how life satisfaction is affected by a number of socio-demographic. A correlation study addressed among elderly in District of Sukoharjo, Province Central Java, Indonesia. The respondents of the study were elderly age 60 year and over in remote areas of Sukoharjo, specialty whose live in Subdistrict Gatak. Procedure of data collection was use Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSIZ). The data was collected by self-administered questionnaires. The result of study shows 72 per cent of psycho-social factors of the elderly were low level. Regarding the life satisfaction, only 34 per cent satisfied with their life. The study finds that psychosocial factors were positively related with life satisfaction. Psychosocial factor was a strong predictor of the elderly people’s life satisfaction. Life satisfaction was a different to some personal factors, including gender and level of job. Psychosocial factors mean the interrelationship with the others. Association with everyone could using many rules, direct or indirect relation, in the special clubs or out of the groups. The reasons to made relation are to share, communicate, and assist the others. The correlation could mean being member of “posyandu” and meeting friends tend to positive effects. Being member of posyandu are determined of life satisfaction. Two of that component was part of social variables. In order to obtain the contentment and acceptance, elderly should related both in the inner institution and outer institution.