CONTRIBUTION OF WISDOM TO CHINESE ELDERS’ WELL-BEING

摘要

Wisdom is an important asset of elders and has been shown to be related to wellbeing, but it is not clear whether wisdom affects wellbeing or wellbeing affects wisdom. The relationship between wisdom and wellbeing has not be largely researched in an Asian cultural context and this study is the first of its kind. To clarify the relationships, this study utilized baseline data from a questionnaire of 142 Chinese community dwelling older adults aged 60 and above, invited in all the 18 districts in Hong Kong. The analysis controlled for the elder’s mastery, social support received, and a number of background characteristics. Results show that wisdom derived from inspirational engagement – social relations can contribute to older adults’ self-esteem; whilst wisdom derived from emotional management – dealing with life situations can contribute to life satisfaction. Social support continued to play an important role in Chinese older adults’ wellbeing, the primary caregiver’s support contributed to the elder’s life satisfaction unconditionally, whilst non-caregivers’ support indicated a contribution to life satisfaction contingent on the elder’s instrumental dysfunction. The results thus imply that helping older adults to make social contributions and manage life situations can improve wellbeing in later life