Predictors of life-satisfaction in Croatian war veterans: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Aim: To examine the predictors of life satisfaction among Croatian war veterans.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a 14-item questionnaire distributed across multiple Croatian cities. We used multiple linear regression to determine the influence of demographic, social, and lifestyle factors on life satisfaction, measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS).

Results: Our sample included 167 veterans. Higher monthly household income (β = 0.30, P < 0.001) and greater friendship satisfaction (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) were associated with higher life satisfaction, while not having a partner was associated with lower life satisfaction (β = –0.24, P < 0.001). Other variables, including age, gender, pet ownership, and religiosity, were not significant predictors. The final model accounted for 33.1% of the variance in life satisfaction (R2 = 0.33).

Conclusions: Social and economic stability, as well as the quality of social relationships, play a crucial role in the subjective well-being of Croatian war veterans, and can thus be considered as targets for support interventions. Future research should explore the effects of demographic, social, and lifestyle factors on well-being and life satisfaction in this population on a wider sample and dive deeper into the meaning of pets in the lives of veterans.