Aging in place as a mediator between satisfaction with life and geriatric depressive symptoms in Turkish older adults

Abstract

The concept of aging in place refers to older adults' capacity to undergo the aging process without being separated from their physical and social environments. However, existing literature on the mediating role of this concept in the relationship between geriatric depression and life satisfaction among older adults is limited. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the mediating role of satisfaction with aging in place in the relationship between life satisfaction and geriatric depression among Turkish older adults. The study population comprised older adults residing in Istanbul, and the sample consisted of 412 individuals aged 65 years and above living at home, selected through stratified and cluster sampling methods (42.23% female, 57.77% male). Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling - based mediation analysis. the findings indicated a positively association with satisfaction with aging in place and life satisfaction, while a negatively association was observed between satisfaction with aging in place and geriatric depression levels. Moreover, satisfaction with aging in place was found to partially mediate the relationship between life satisfaction and geriatric depression. These results suggest that policies aimed at enhancing satisfaction with aging in place among older adults may be an effective strategy to reduce symptoms of geriatric depression.

Keywords: Aging in place; geriatric depressive symptoms; satisfaction with life; social care.