Predicting Intraindividual Change in Satisfaction with Life During COVID-19: A Prospective Study of Swiss Older Adults with Differing Levels of Childhood Adversity.

UNLABELLED

This study examined intraindividual change in satisfaction with life (SWL) in Swiss older adults before, during, and after COVID-19. It assessed whether predictors of adaptation influenced SWL stability, and whether this differed depending on adverse childhood experiences (ACE). SWL was assessed eight times over a 21-month period. ACE, emotion regulation, meaning in life, and subjective socio-economic status (SES) were assessed as predictors. Data were analyzed using growth curve modeling. The sample consisted of two groups: A risk group (RG:  = 111,  = 69.4 years) comprised of individuals with a high risk of having been exposed to ACE, and a (low-risk) control group (CG:  = 120,  = 70.3 years). Intraindividual change in SWL was predicted by (presence of) meaning in life only in the RG, and by subjective SES only in the CG. Results identified predictors of stable SWL trajectories and the potential for positive psychological functioning into later life, despite past and current prolonged adversity.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10902-024-00791-2.