Abstract
Statement of Problem
An individual's life satisfaction may vary depending on not only the inner personal factors, but also on the external environments around a person. Viewing elders from this assumption, the purpose of this quantitative and descriptive study was divided into two parts. First, the purpose is to explore socio-demographic characteristics and levels of life satisfaction among Korean immigrant elderly in Sacramento County. The second purpose is to examine the factors associated with the external environment contributing to the life satisfaction of the target population.
Sources of Data
The data for this study was collected form 30 Korean immigrant el4erly who live in Sacramento County and are over 60 years old. They were interviewed and asked to respond to socio-demographic questions associated with immigrant factors, personal capabilities and social relationships and questions of life satisfaction containing eight categories: daily activities, meaning, goals, mood, self-concept, health, finances, and social contacts.
Conclusions Reached
The results of data analysis found that those who are male, currently employed, Christian, an American citizen, and live with others who are not their spouse in senior apartment complexes are the most satisfied with their lives. The longer they have lived in the U.S, the more often they see their family members and the higher their monthly income, their level of education, their English competence and their mobility, the more satisfied they are with their lives. The level of satisfaction associated with mood is highest followed by social contacts, meaning, finances, self-concept, daily activities, and goals. The level of satisfaction with health was lowest.