Summary: | Middle-aged women are likely to experience empty nest syndrome, menopause, health problem, sleep
disturbance, lethargy, weight gain and attention deficit. Overwhelming workload, multiple roles at home,
elderly care giving and so forth have worsened the situation. These factors may influence their emotional
well-being and life satisfaction. Women are frequently reported to have lower life satisfaction compare to
men. They are also at higher risk of developing depression, burn out and loneliness. The study employed
qualitative method based on phenomenological approach. This approach was adopted to explore and
understand the real experiences and the feelings of the participants. The objective of the study is to explore
the meaning of life satisfaction from the perspectives of middle-aged working women. A set of semi-structured
questions was adhered to gain the data from nine middle aged working women in Hulu Langat, Selangor,
Malaysia. The result of the study showed that life satisfaction has been defined in four themes, which are: 1)
success/achievement, 2) tranquility of soul and mind, 3) life comfort, and 4) acceptance and gratitude. These
four (4) themes are discussed from the perspectives of emotional well-being and life satisfaction. Middleaged
women review their life satisfaction by considering more on the internal and spiritual aspects. They
attempt to build a more meaningful, more peaceful and blessed life. The research finding offers significant
input to the planning of program to uplift life satisfaction of middle-aged career women. It can also facilitate
counselors, social workers, and researchers to better understand the need and life perspective of middle
aged career women.
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