Age as a Moderator of the Determinants of Life Satisfaction

Previous studies indicate that age differences in life satisfaction are minimal, especially when other variables are statistically controlled. This article examines the degree to which age moderates the impact of several predictors of life satisfaction. Interaction effects are investigated in context of a path model positing the structural determinants of life satisfaction. Results indicate that, although the total and direct effects of age are trivial, age is an important moderator of the effects of marital status, income, health, and social support upon lifesatisfaction.