Predictors of Life Satisfaction in U.S. Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Health Status, Physical Activity, Employment, and Intersectional Factors

TL;DR

This study finds that better health and more physical activity are strongly linked to higher life satisfaction in U.S. adults, while employment has a weaker connection.

Contribution

The study introduces an intersectional analysis of health, physical activity, employment, and demographics in predicting life satisfaction.

Findings

Health status was the strongest predictor of life satisfaction, with excellent health linked to twice the odds of high satisfaction.

Meeting both aerobic and strength-training guidelines doubled the odds of high life satisfaction.

Employment had a weak association with life satisfaction, suggesting workplace policies should focus on overall well-being.

Abstract

Introduction

Life satisfaction, a key indicator of well-being, is shaped by complex interactions between health, physical activity, employment, and demographic factors. Despite evidence linking these variables individually to well-being, their collective impact - particularly through an intersectional lens (e.g., age, sex, race) - remains inadequately studied. This study addresses gaps by analyzing how these factors jointly predict life satisfaction among U.S. adults, with implications for public health and policies.

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between self-reported overall health status, adherence to physical activity guidelines (including aerobic and strength-training exercises), employment status, and levels of life satisfaction among U.S. adults.

Methods

A secondary analysis of 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data of 27,648 adults examined self-reported health (ranging from excellent to poor), physical activity (none, aerobic, strength, or both), employment (≥35 hours/week), and life satisfaction. Using Goodman and Kruskal’s γ, chi-square tests, and multinomial logistic regression (controlling for age, sex, race), the study assessed associations among these variables, individually and collectively, accounting for the survey's complex sampling design. The analysis adjusted for the NHIS’s stratified multistage sampling design and was performed using IBM SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), with a significance level set at α=0.05.

Results

Health status demonstrated the most significant correlation (γ=0.514, p<0.001): 68.3% of individuals in "excellent" health indicated "very satisfied," compared to only 12.3% of those in "poor" health. Adherence to physical activity guidelines also significantly influenced satisfaction levels (χ²=625.43, p<0.001); individuals who met both aerobic and strength training guidelines had twice the odds of reporting high satisfaction (OR=2.423, p=0.016). Employment showed a weak association (χ²=9.99, p=0.019), with 80.7% of those working 35 hours or more per week reporting slightly higher satisfaction levels (47% "very satisfied") compared to non-workers (45.8%). Regression analysis highlighted health (OR=4.425 for "excellent" health, p<0.001) and physical activity (OR=2.241 for strength training, p=0.027) as key predictors of satisfaction. Older adults (OR=1.022 per year, p<0.001) and males reported higher satisfaction levels, whereas females exhibited lower odds of dissatisfaction (OR=0.683, p=0.008). Although racial disparities were not statistically significant, intersectional trends hinted at complex barriers, such as limited healthcare access within marginalized communities.

Conclusion

This study highlights the significant associations between health status, physical activity, and life satisfaction among U.S. adults, with better self-reported health and higher activity levels linked to greater well-being. However, employment status showed a weaker relationship, suggesting that workplace policies should prioritize holistic well-being over mere work hours. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to establish causality and explore subgroup differences, while public health interventions should promote physical activity and preventive healthcare to enhance life satisfaction. Policymakers and employers should integrate these findings into wellness programs to foster healthier, more satisfied communities.

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