ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMON PREDICTORS AND THEIR CORRELATION IN SUBJECTIVE WELLBEING AMONG ELDERLY IN BOHOL, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Background and objectives: The United Nations (2013) and the World Health Organization (2011) predicted inflation in the number of elderlies in the age group of 6years and above by twice their current population and this has prompted researchers to address concerns regarding the elderly's general wellbeing. This study aimed to determine the predictors that affect the subjective wellbeing among elderlies. The researchers intended to evaluate whether selected individual variables (educational attainment, health status, employment status, and presence of stressors ), family variables (marital status, family size, family income, quality of family relationship and family support), and neighborhood variables (social relationships, church attendance, access to amenities/transportation, safe environment and community participation) influence the achievement of subjective well being among elderlies in Bohol, Philippines. Methods: The researcher utilized a descriptive correlational design in order to identify patterns of relationship that existed between the variables and to measure the strength of the relationship. The study  was conducted in the municipality of Sagbayan, Bohol, Philippines. The researcher utilized a self-made interview guide, the Perceived Stress Scale, Spiritual Wellbeing Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) to gather the needed information relevant to the variables under study. Collection of data commenced after the technical panel approved the research proposal. Multiple regression using the SPSS software was utilized in the treatment of the data gathered. Results: It was found out that the mean level of subjective wellbeing among elderly falls under the average level oflife satisfaction 4.23 which means that the elderlies are generally satisfied with the different aspects of their lives but there are certain domains that they would very much like to improve. The study also revealed that the significant predictive variables for the elderlies' subjective wellbeing include age (0 .000), health status 0.031, perceived stress 0.000, community participation 0.001, family income 0.000, and neighborhood safety 0.003. Furthermore, it was found out that the most common medical conditions or diseases affecting the subjective wellbeing of the respondents are upper respiratory tract infection (46), hypertension (35), generalized muscle pains (25), arthritis (24 ), and visual problems or disturbances (21 ). Conclusion: Increased levels of subjective wellbeing among the elderly are significantly influenced by age, health status, perceived stress, community participation, family income, and neighborhood safety. The researcher recommends the conduction of further studies exploring other factors that can influence the subjective wellbeing among the elderly as well as the development of programs and initiatives by the local and national government units to enhance the factors that affect the subjective wellbeing of the elderlies.