Influences of socioeconomic status, social network, and competence on subjective well-being in later life: A meta-analysis.

What is it about?

We reviewed and synthesized findings from 286 empirical studies to examine the relationships of life circumstance with subjective well-being among adults aged 65+. Socioeco­nomic status (SES), social network, and everyday competence were positively associated with well-being. Three findings stood out: Income was correlated more strongly with well-being than education. The quality of social contacts shows stronger associations with well-being than how many social contacts people reported. Having contact with friends is more strongly related to well-being than having contact with adult children, but life satisfaction is more dependent on quality of contact with adult children than on quality of contact with friends. Competence was also consistently related to well-being. SES was more strongly associated with life satisfaction in men than in women, suggesting that sources of well-being may differ between the two.

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Why is it important?

This work was published when many articles existed on this topic, but no one had pulled them together into a coherent whole. The impact of quantity versus quality of contacts was unique, as was the comparison of family and friend networks. The insight that basic competence influences the maintenance of autonomy, whereas expanded competence allows individuals to fill the day with meaningful activities clarifies why both are important to well-being.