This study tests a theoretical model of subjective well-being (SWB) for community-dwelling
older persons with schizophrenia. The sample consisted of 117 persons age 55 and over
(mean age = 63 years) who developed schizophrenia before age 45. With the use of bivariate
analyses and then logistic regression, five variables attained significance as predictors
of SWB: male gender, absence of loneliness, older age, reliable social contacts, and
fewer perceived life difficulties. Although a comparison with their age-peers in the
general population indicated that the sample was worse on several objective indicators
of well-being, for example, income, clinical depression, physical limitations, and
social network size, none of these variables was predictive of SWB. Rather, the data
largely supported the “judgment” theory of SWB, which proposes that SWB is based on
beliefs about oneself and others.
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 15,
1996
Received in revised form:
September 3,
1996
Received:
April 24,
1996
Footnotes
The authors thank Jeanne Teresi, Denis O'Brien, Yolla Gerard, and Carole Lefkowitz for their assistance.
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
