Objective: To investigate disparities in life satisfaction among older Hispanic immigrants in the United States relative to their native-born Hispanic and non-Hispanic White counterparts, and to identify factors associated with such disparities. Method: Cross-sectional data from 9,798 individuals age 60 and above from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) were used to estimate ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models. Results: Hispanic immigrants reported the highest levels of life satisfaction of all groups. Wealthier older adults, who were socially engaged, had social support, and experienced fewer functional limitations and lower exposure to discrimination, were more satisfied with their lives in the overall sample. Interaction effects revealed that although education was associated with greater life satisfaction only among non-Hispanic Whites, co-residing with children was associated with greater life satisfaction only among Hispanics. Discussion: Although older Hispanic immigrants had the least amount of socioeconomic resources of all groups in our study, they were the most satisfied with their lives. Possible explanations and directions for future research are discussed. © The Author(s) 2016.

Life satisfaction Hispanic Health and Retirement Study Immigrant Hispanic Paradox

education least square analysis immigrant Caucasian human middle aged health status Aged social support retirement Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires United States cross-sectional study migrant psychology Hispanic life satisfaction Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged, 80 and over very elderly questionnaire theoretical model Models, Theoretical major clinical study adult statistical model Personal Satisfaction satisfaction exposure Child