Invisible Voices: Factors Associated with the Subjective Well-Being of Aging African American Men

Abstract

Little is known about the African American male's experience in later life, specifically what variables act as predictors of perceived well-being. This study explored the subjective well-being and life satisfaction of African American men aged 55 and above. A cross sectional, exploratory-descriptive survey explored the quality of life and overall well-being based on self-perceptions of social support, stress, health, and life satisfaction in a sample of 149 African American males. The Social Support Appraisals Scale, Elder Stress Inventory, Life Satisfaction Index-Z, and a global health question were used to measure the major variables. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that social support and health may be predictors of life satisfaction and overall well-being, and social support may act as the strongest predictor. A significant relationship was also found between the demographic variable of marital status and life satisfaction. The other significant relationship was found between the demographic variables of social support and life satisfaction.

Notes

**Correlation significant at the .01 level.

*Correlation significant at the .05 level.

*p < .05. ∧∧p < .001.