The relationship between successful aging and life satisfaction among middle-aged and elderly people with chronic diseases: the mediating role of depression

Abstract Background A number of studies have explored the relationship between depression and life satisfaction. Few studies, however, have articulated the mechanisms underlying the relationship between successful aging and life satisfaction in middle-aged and elderly people with chronic diseases. The present study is intended to examine the mediating role of depression in this relationship. Methods Multistage stratified sampling method was adopted to investigate 306 chronic disease patients aged 45 years and above in an affiliated hospital in Zhejiang Province. The results were then statistically analyzed. A descriptive analysis of the characteristics of the sample was performed. The relationship between successful aging and life satisfaction was assessed using linear regression. The mediating effect of depression was analyzed using Amos 23.0. Results Successful aging was positively correlated with life satisfaction (β = 0.34, P < 0.01), successful aging was negatively correlated with depression (β = -0.14, P < 0.01), and depression was negatively correlated with life satisfaction (β = -0.24, P < 0.01). The standardized indirect effect of depression between successful aging and life satisfaction was 0.058, which represented 13.67% of the total effect. Conclusions Depression mediates the relationship between successful aging and life satisfaction. Therefore, healthcare professionals and stakeholders should be concerned about the mental health of middle-aged and elderly persons with chronic diseases, strengthen their attention to successful aging, and provide interventions and treatment measures for middle-aged and elderly persons with chronic diseases who have depressive tendencies.