Correlation Between Self-Perception Towards Ageing and Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Kajulu Ward, Kisumu County, Kenya

The older adults of the 21st century are experiencing a longer lifespan. This trend may be viewed as an achievement as well as a challenge to the society. The ageing populations are faced with physical, psychosocial, emotional, cognitive, behavioural and environmental changes. In the process, the older adults form beliefs, attitudes and feelings and perform behaviours that influence their perception towards ageing and well-being. Research into self-perception towards ageing and subjective well-being of older adults is at an early stage world over. Most of the available information has been obtained from studies conducted west. However, studies done in Kenya have focused on older adult’s abuse and vulnerability. Furthermore, these studies have used younger populations, thus lack self-reporting by the older adults themselves. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing the correlation between self-perception towards ageing and subjective well-being of older adults in Kajulu ward, Kisumu County. The study objectives were to: establish the relationship between self-perception towards ageing and subjective well-being, to find out the influence of demographic characteristic on self-perception towards ageing, determine the influence of demographic characteristics on subjective well-being, and lastly to establish the strongest predictor of subjective well-being of older adults. The study adopted Theory of Reasoned Action (Fishbein & Ajzen, 1975) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) that relate to voluntary cognitive behavioural representation and involuntary emotional behaviours respectively. Causalcomparative and correlation research designs were used to obtain data from a random sample of 140 older adults aged above 65years. The data was collected by use of questionnaires. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient, the ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey HSD tests and regression analysis. The study instrument had a reliability of ά = .65. Findings revealed a weak, negative correlation between self-perception towards ageing and subjective well-being of older adults. Employment status and poor self-perceived health significantly influenced self-perception towards ageing. The findings further revealed that being married, having own source of income, attaining secondary education and poor self-perceived health significantly influenced subjective well-being. The relative absence of negative affect, positive affect and satisfaction with life emerged as the strongest predictor’s of subjective well-being of older adults. Understanding the dynamics and intrapersonal processes of self-perception towards ageing may help in adopting psychological interventions, strategies and policy programs that could enhance subjective well-being of older adults.