Stress, resources, and life satisfaction among older adults in Malaysia

This article examines the relationships between chronic stress and depression, and between chronic stress, depression and life satisfaction among older adults in Malaysia. In addition, the effect of social support and health as resources is examined. Although research in the past has found that health could also be a consequence of a change in life stage, this study has limited the effect of health as a protective function. In addition, the effect of demographic variables: age, gender, and race, is tested to see if significant differences exist with respect to stress, depression, resources, and life satisfaction. Data analyses were based on a total of 645 responses collected from major urban areas in Malaysia. Research findings confirmed the hypothesized positive relationship between chronic stress and depression; and that chronic stress and depression were negatively correlated with life satisfaction. The hypothesized relationships between health and chronic stress, depression and life satisfaction were supported. Health was also found to have a mediating effect on chronic stress and life satisfaction. The hypothesized relationships between social support and chronic stress, depression and life satisfaction had mixed results. There was no evidence of the mediating effect of social support on chronic stress and life satisfaction. The three main racial groups in Malaysia differed significantly with respect to chronic stress, depression, and support received.