Psychometric Evidence of the Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale in Peruvian Elderly

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, satisfaction with life has aroused the interest of gerontological research, thus being one of the most used concepts to measure subjective well-being, in addition to being an indicator of successful ageing. Materials and methods: The psychometric properties of the Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale were assessed in Peruvian elderly individuals. The instrument was applied to 236 elderly from the city of Trujillo (78.4 % female and 21.6 % male), with an average age of 72.8 years old, and their de = 6.90 (Standard Differentiation, by its initials in Spanish). In order to obtain convergent and discriminant validity, the tests Single Item of Satisfaction with Life Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale and the Geriatric Depression Scale were conducted. Results: The Satisfaction with Life Scale shows a one-dimensional structure (χ2 = 10.960, DF = 5, p = .05, χ2/DF = 2.192, GFI = .983, CFI = .994, NFI = .988; RMSEA = .071 [CI 90 % .000, .129]; and SMRM = .013), presenting positive correlations with resilience and negative correlations with depression. Moreover, it presents a high reliability index estimated by the method of internal consistency with the Cronbach’s Alpha Test (α = .93), Omega coefficient (ω = .93; ci 95%: .92 -.95) and GIB = .94. Conclusion: For purposes of research —among other—, we recommend the use of the Diener’s Satisfaction with Life Scale for Peruvian elderly persons.

Keywords

• Satisfaction with life
• elderly
• validity
• reliability.