Open Journal of Medical Psychology, 2023, 12, 117-128
https://www.scirp.org/journal/ojmp
ISSN Online: 2165-9389
ISSN Print: 2165-9370
DOI: 10.4236/ojmp.2023.123007 May 31, 2023 117 Open Journal of Medical Psychology
Association between Support and Satisfaction
with Life among Older Adults in Ekiti, Nigeria:
Findings and Implications
Felix Olukayode Aina
1*
, Babatunde Oludare Fakuade
2
, Tosin Anthony Agbesanwa
1
,
Mobolaji Usman Dada
3
, Joseph Olusesan Fadare
4
1
Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
2
Department of Dental/Maxillofacial, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria
3
Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
4
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
Abstract
Many developing countries like Nigeria lack policy for the care of the older
adults and this creates major challenges for the elderly population. The tradi-
tional family institution and community support that used to be safety nest
are being adversely affected by westernization. This development might have
adverse effect on life satisfaction among the older adults. This hospital based
cross-sectional study was designed to determine the association between sup-
port and life satisfaction among older adults. A total of 128 subjects partici-
pated in the study out of which 28.9% were satisfied with life. Expectation of
support was mainly from the family, less from the community and very low
from the government. The level of support received from all sources generally
fell short of expectations. Marital status and source of livelihood were signifi-
cantly associated with life satisfaction. There is inadequate social support
from the government and support from family and community fell below ex-
pectations. Expectations of support were the most strongly correlated with
life satisfaction. Support for older adults must be addressed in order to meet
their expectations and improve their level of satisfaction with life.
Keywords
Support, Satisfaction with Life, Association, Older Adults, Implications
1. Background
The global population is increasing with Africa being the fastest growing conti-
How to cite this paper: Aina, F.O., Fakuade,
B.O., Agbesanwa, T.A., Dada, M.U. and Fa-
dare, J.O. (2023) Association between Sup-
port and Satisfaction with Life among Old-
er Adults in Ekiti, Nigeria: Findings and Im-
plications. Open Journal of Medical Psychol-
ogy, 12, 117-128.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmp.2023.123007
Received: April 5, 2023
Accepted: May 28, 2023
Published: May 31, 2023
Copyright © 2023 by author(s) and
Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution International
License (CC BY 4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access