Retired men and women (N=229) completed a questionnaire incorporating key variables from the Kuypers and Bengston social reconstruction model. Social reconstruction variables had stronger correlations with morale measures than did demographic variables, and were found to have significant relationships with measures of general happiness and…

Examined the relationship between reminiscence, level of activity, and morale in 73 elderly women. Results showed reminiscence was not positively related to morale or negatively related to activity level, and did not mediate between the two, suggesting that reminiscence is a correlate of, not a substitute for, social activity. (JAC)

Examined the friendship patterns of older women (N=150). Results indicated the older widowed women received more help from their friends than did married older women. In addition, significant differences in the morale of the older women were found according to the equity of helping behaviors with friends. (JAC)

Contrary to an earlier report, this study showed that life satisfaction of 56 institutionalized elderly women was associated with internality. Satisfaction was inversely related to their perception of institutional constraints, its most powerful determinant. (Author)

Examined gender differences in adjustment to retirement. Conducted pretest interview with 250 people at time of retirement, posttest interview of 242 retirees 6 months after retirement, and 1-year followup of 222 retirees. Found significant main effect for time for all three adjustment variables (well-being, morale, satisfaction), with well-being…

Examined effect of sex differences on morale of 257 older rural widows and widowers. Sex of respondent was not found to affect morale; however, perceived financial status and self-rated health had significant direct effects. Widows and widowers reporting higher morale had higher perceived financial status and rated their health as good.…

Effects of health and income on life satisfaction were analyzed. Financial situation was a slightly stronger predictor of life satisfaction for persons under age 65, whereas health condition had a stronger impact on the life satisfaction of persons over age 64. (Author)

Studied the nature of diurnal mood variations in 173 persons aged 13 to 82. Results indicated adolescents and young adults tended to report better moods toward evening while middle-aged and elderly persons reported better moods in the morning. Limited findings suggest the opposite trends for depressed psychiatric patients (Author/JA)

Tested the Life Satisfaction Index-A for validity and reliability using a sample of 240 Black elderly. The study failed to support the existence of five dimensions that were supposed to form the life satisfaction scale, but the scale was highly reliable in measuring life satisfaction among Black elderly. (Author/JAC)

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study, longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults, to make comparisons between whites (n=150) and African Americans (n=122). Found that African Americans were significantly more disadvantaged than whites in socioeconomic status. African Americans perceived their health as poorer than whites but were…

Seven frequently used measures were examined by construct validation to improve measures. Results of this research indicate that there is a construct, termed "life satisfaction," shared by six of the seven measures and that no existing instrument best encompasses that construct. The construct is composed of two factors. (Author)

Used path analysis to test race, socioeconomic status (SES), and two intervening variables (self-assessed health status and problems experienced) on two attributes of life satisfaction (happiness and morale). Most effects of race and SES were mediated by self-assessed health status and problems experienced; these two intervening variables were the…

Assessed the relationships between a life satisfaction index and social/demographic/psychological factors in older adults. Results showed marital status, occupational prestige, years of formal education, race, annual income, and a variety of specific satisfaction with life measures were related to successful aging. (Author)

Longitudinal study of newly admitted nursing home residents (n=50) revealed that perceived control over relocation decision had positive effects on health during first month of residency but negative effects on health and morale between second and fourth months. Acceptance of relocation had positive effects on health and morale between second and…

Conclusions were that: (1) meanings of mental health constructs cluster differently depending on the analysis; (2) happiness may be considered the most apposite representative of the mental health constructs employed by gerontologists; and (3) contemporary models of happiness favor neither the expansionist nor contractionist positions as a means…