EMPLOYMENT STATUS, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG THE ELDERLY

Relations among employment status, social support, and life satisfacti on were examined in a sample of 292 community-living elderly as part o f a larger investigation of the role of stressful life experiences and social support in the health of the elderly. Results of a path analys is suggested that the number of hours worked at a paying job, lower le vels of depression, and greater perceived social support were directly related to higher levels of life satisfaction. Furthermore, social su pport mediated the effects of volunteer positions on life satisfaction . These findings are discussed in relation to previous research on voc ational issues among the elderly. Limitations of this study are mentio ned, and suggestions for future research are offered.