Life satisfaction and mental health of Chinese older adults in different living arrangements

In order to compare life satisfaction and mental health status of older adults in different living arrangements, we investigated a sample of 1, 915 Chinese older adults using Satisfaction with Life Scale and Mental Health Inventory for the Urban Elderly. Difference in life satisfaction between three living arrangements is significant even after controlling age, education and income. Life satisfaction of older adults living in elderly apartments is better than those living at home. Income and co-residence with children interact to influence life satisfaction. Among older adults with high income, older adults living alone or with spouse have the greater life satisfaction than those living with children; while among older adults with average and low income, living with or separate form children have no difference on life satisfaction. The result indicates that institutionalized older adults have equal mental health with those living at home and even greater life satisfaction.