Life satisfaction and Ego integrity among older adults: A comparative study

This study aimed to compare the role of the home environment in the form of old age homes and conventional home settings on ego integrity and life satisfaction among older adults. By using a purposive sample 80 older adults from old age homes (N=40, male-13 and female-27) and localities in Hyderabad (40, male =17 and female=23) age varying from 60 years and above, with a mean age of 74.5 years, were selected. The participants were assessed on measures of ego integrity and life satisfaction using Ryff and Heincke's Ego Integrity Scale (1983), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale by Deiner and others (1985). The findings revealed a positive correlation between life satisfaction and ego integrity. It was also found that older adults residing in old age homes have a higher level of ego integrity compared with those living with their families. No significant difference was found between the life satisfaction scores of older adults residing in old age homes and those living with their families. Unmarried/divorced/widowed older adults were found to have a higher level of ego integrity compared with married older adults. No significant difference was found between the life satisfaction scores of married and unmarried/divorced/widowed older adults. There was no significant difference between the ego integrity scores of male and female older adults. No significant difference was found between the life satisfaction scores of male and female older adults.