Perceived social support and life satisfaction among elderly people living separately from their adult children in the community: A cross-sectional comparative study

The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the perceived social support and life satisfaction among elderly people living separately from their adult children in the community. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out among a total of 100 elderly people (50 living with their adult children or other family members as group-1 and 50 elderly people living separately/alone as group-2) aged 60 years and above living in some selected areas of Varanasi district. The respondents were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire including; socio-demographic variables, a Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWS). The mean age of the respondents was approximately 67 years in both study groups most of them belonged to the age group 60-69 years. The majority of the respondents in group-1 were male (54%) but in group-2 most of them were female (52%). Both study groups were matched on each socio-demographic variable. Most of the respondents (30%) were satisfied in their life in group-1 but in the group-2 majority of the respondents (30%) were slightly dissatisfied. There was a significant difference found in life satisfaction and perceived social support in both study groups. Life satisfaction and perceived social support in elderly people were found positively correlated to each other. Based on the findings it can be concluded that support from the family members (especially from their adult children) is very important for life satisfaction among elderly people.