رابطه تحمل پریشانی و حمایت اجتماعی ادراک شده با رضایت از زندگی در سالمندان مقیم سرای سالمندان

Life satisfaction is considered one of the key variables in mental health among older adults and is associated with various factors. Consequently, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between distress tolerance and perceived social support with life satisfaction among older adults residing in nursing homes. This descriptive correlational study included a population consisted of all older adults living in nursing homes in Isfahan, Iran in 2024. A total of 150 individuals were selected using a convenience sampling method. The measures included Simons and Gaher’s stress tolerance, Zimet’s perceived social support, and Diener’s satisfaction with life questionnaires. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 26 software. The results indicated a significant relationship between distress tolerance and perceived social support with life satisfaction among nursing home residents (p<.001), which together explained 90.1% of the variance in life satisfaction. Perceived social support had a greater contribution to this prediction. In conclusion, by identifying the variables of distress tolerance and perceived social support, it is possible to predict the life satisfaction of nursing home residents. Based on the findings, it is recommended that greater attention be given to these psychological variables by professionals working in the field of aging psychology.
EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Introduction
The complexities of modern life have reduced the capacity of family members to care for older adults. Consequently, the number of older adults residing in nursing homes has been steadily increasing. In such circumstances, one critical factor influencing mental health in aging, namely life satisfaction, can undergo significant changes. Life satisfaction among older adults is influenced by demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, leisure activities, family and social relationships, income, and employment status. Research has shown that lower distress tolerance is associated with reduced life satisfaction, and there is a significant positive correlation between distress tolerance and life satisfaction. Furthermore, perceived social support has a direct and significant relationship with life satisfaction and is identified as a predictive variable for life satisfaction. Despite the identified relationships between these variables and life satisfaction, no study has examined these relationships to date among older adults residing in nursing homes. Therefore, this study aims to address the research gap by exploring the relationship between distress tolerance, perceived social support, and life satisfaction in nursing home residents.
Method
This descriptive correlational study targeted all older adults residing in nursing homes in Isfahan, Iran during 2024. A sample of 150 individuals (48 men and 102 women) was selected from Sadeghieh Nursing home in Isfahan through convenience sampling, based on the formula for correlational studies proposed by Fidell and Tabachnick (2007). Inclusion criteria included: (1) age 65 or older, (2) a minimum of three months of residency in the nursing home, (3) basic reading and writing literacy, and (4) willingness and consent to participate in the study. Exclusion criteria included: (1) acute psychiatric disorders, and (2) physical limitations or illnesses preventing participation in the study. Eligible participants who agreed to cooperate were asked to carefully complete Simons and Gaher’s stress tolerance, Zimet’s perceived social support, and Diener’s satisfaction with life questionnaires. Any ambiguities encountered during the survey were addressed patiently. For data analysis, descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were used to present the status of predictive and criterion variables, while inferential statistics included Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression analyses performed using SPSS software version 26.
Results
To assess the normality of the research data, skewness and kurtosis indices were utilized. Based on the results, the skewness and kurtosis values were within the acceptable range (-2 to 2). Therefore, the assumption of normality was met. The tolerance values for all predictor variables exceeded 0.1, and the variance inflation factors were less than 10, indicating no multicollinearity issues in the regression model. Additionally, the Durbin-Watson test value was 1.96 (within the acceptable range of 1.5 to 2.5), confirming that the assumption of residual independence was met. The results of the Pearson’s correlation test revealed a significant positive relationship between distress tolerance, including its components (emotional distress tolerance, absorption by negative emotions, subjective evaluation of distress, and regulation of efforts to alleviate distress) with life satisfaction (p<.01). Furthermore, a significant positive relationship was found between perceived social support and its components (family support, friend support, and support from significant others) with life satisfaction (p<.01).
The predictor variables, including distress tolerance and perceived social support, played a significant role in predicting life satisfaction among older adults residing in nursing homes. Using the enter method of multiple regression, a significant model was obtained (Adjusted R²=.901, P<.001, F=341.042), accounting for 90.1% of the variance in life satisfaction among older adults in nursing homes. Perceived social support was the strongest predictor of life satisfaction. Among the components of distress tolerance, absorption by negative emotions, subjective evaluation of distress, and regulation of efforts to alleviate distress significantly contributed to predicting life satisfaction, with absorption by negative emotions having the highest contribution. All components of perceived social support (family support, friend support, and support from significant others) significantly predicted life satisfaction, with family support having the greatest contribution.
Conclusion
Distress tolerance refers to individual differences in the ability to endure emotional discomfort. The greater this endurance, the higher the distress tolerance. Consequently, the greater the capacity to experience and tolerate psychological situations and negative emotional states (inevitable aspects of life), the more positively it impacts an individual's life satisfaction. In fact, in later adulthood, life satisfaction reflects a successful aging process. The foundation of life satisfaction in older adulthood lies in addressing basic needs, coping with adversities, and accepting challenging past and present circumstances.
Perceived social support refers to an individual’s evaluation of the availability of support in times of need. This perception significantly influences physical and mental well-being, life satisfaction, and quality of life. It is recognized as a moderating factor in coping with stressful life situations. As one of the strongest psychological coping resources, perceived social support aids individuals in effectively handling high-stress conditions. Thus, perceived social support creates an essential psychological adaptation mechanism for older adults, influencing how they accept and feel satisfied with their current life circumstances.
Ethical Consideration
Ethical Code
To comply with ethical research standards, the ethical approval code was obtained (IR.IAU.KHUISF.REC.1403.102) from the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch.
Financial Support
This study received no financial support.
Authors’ Contributions
N.M: Conceptualization, Methodology, Software, Validation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Writing-Original draft; H.T: Writing-Review & editing, Project administration
Conflict of Interest
The authors had no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
The authors express their gratitude to the older adults who participated in the study, and to the Research Department of Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, the Welfare Organization of Isfahan Province, and the authorities and staff of Sadeghieh Nursing home for their cooperation in granting permissions and facilitating the execution of this research.
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