Life satisfaction of older adults and its influencing factors: an exploratory study of community-dwelling older adults in Xiamen, China

Introduction: The global population is aging rapidly, with China witnessing a significant growth in its older adult population. Understanding the life satisfaction of community-dwelling older adults and its determinants is crucial for informing age-friendly policies in rapidly aging urban areas. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2,225 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years and above in Xiamen, China, from March to May 2025. The survey collected data on demographics, economic status, health, social support, and environmental conditions. The primary outcome variable, "overall life satisfaction," was measured using a single 5-point Likert scale (1 = very satisfied to 5 = very dissatisfied), with a "high level of life satisfaction" defined as a score of 1-2. A multinomial generalized linear model was used to identify influencing factors, and collinearity diagnostics (variance inflation factor, VIF) were performed to ensure model reliability. Results: A total of 91.5% of the participants reported a high level of life satisfaction. Key factors significantly influencing life satisfaction included self-rated health, daily physical and mental state, community-based social support, and economic factors (i.e., healthcare expenditure and financial support from children). Discussion: This study provides preliminary empirical evidence for formulating age-friendly policies in Xiamen and similar urban areas. Enhancing healthcare accessibility, improving community-based older adults support, and strengthening financial support systems may effectively improve life satisfaction among community-dwelling older adults. Future research should adopt a longitudinal design and include a broader range of older adult populations (e.g., institutionalized older adults) to deepen the understanding of how to best support the well-being of older adults in China.