Life satisfaction, well-being, and happiness in older adults with and without formal support
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31211/rpics.2024.10.1.333Keywords:
Community, Happiness, Life satisfaction, Older adults, Well-beingAbstract
Background and Aim: Understanding life satisfaction, subjective well-being, and happiness is important for gaining insight into the quality of life of older adults. While these constructs have been extensively researched, there are still gaps in understanding how they vary among older adults living in different arrangements. This study aimed to analyze these differences among older adults living in community settings versus formal contexts such as daycare centers and residential care. Method: The study involved 134 Portuguese older adults from three living settings: those living independently in the community without formal support (37.3%), those in daycare centers (38.1%), and those in residential care (24.6%). Data were collected using the Life Satisfaction Scale, the Personal Well-Being Index, and the Subjective Happiness Scale. Results: The analysis revealed that older adults in the community reported lower life satisfaction and subjective well-being than those in daycare centers and residential care. No significant differences in happiness levels were observed across the different living arrangements. Additionally, the study found no differences in the variables between male and female participants. Positive correlations were found among life satisfaction, subjective well-being, and happiness across the three living settings. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the crucial role of formal support systems in enhancing life satisfaction and well-being among older adults. These systems provide essential social and psychological support, promote engagement, and maintain community involvement, especially for older individuals. Addressing the diverse needs of older adults through comprehensive support can contribute to more effective interventions and policies aimed at promoting successful and healthy aging.
Downloads
References
Amorim, S., França, H., & Valentini, F. (2017). Predictors of happiness among retired from urban and rural areas in Brazil. Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica, 30. https://doi.org/mzft
An, H. Y., Chen W., Wang, C. W., Yang, H. F., Huang, W. T., & Fan, S. Y. (2020). The relationships between physical activity and life satisfaction and happiness among young, middle-aged, and older adults. International Journal Environment Research Public Health, 4(17), 1–10. https://doi.org/mzgs
Angner, E., Ghandhi, J., Purvis, K. W., Amante, D. J., & Allison, J. J. (2012). Daily functioning, health status, and happiness in older adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(5), 1563–1574. https://doi.org/gqp458
Ayalon, L. (2018). Loneliness and anxiety about aging in adult day care centers and continuing care retirement communities. Innovation in Aging, 2(2), Artigo igy021. https://doi.org/grzhz7
Banhato, E., Ribeiro, P., & Guedes, D. (2018). Satisfação com a vida em idosos residentes na comunidade. Revista Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto, 17(2), 16–24. https://doi.org/jqk3
Barros-Oliveira, J. (2010). Felicidade, otimismo, esperança e perdão em jovens adultos e idosos. Psychologica, 1(52), 123–148. https://doi.org/mzdw
Busseri, M., Sadava, S., & DeCourville, N. (2007). A hybrid model for research on subjective well-being: Examining common- and component-specific sources of variance in life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Social Indicators Research, 83(3), 413–445. https://doi.org/ccwzpw
Cardiga, A. (2016). A satisfação com a vida, o bem-estar psicológico e o suporte social entre idosos institucionalizados e não institucionalizados [Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Portugal]. https://bit.ly/3X149I1
Chei, C., Lee, J., Ma, S., & Malhotra, R. (2018). Happy older people live longer. Age and Ageing, 47(6), 860–866. https://doi.org/mzdx
Chen, L., & Zhang, Z. (2022). Community participation and subjective well-being of older adults: The roles of sense of community and neuroticism. International Journal Environment Research Public Health, 19(6), 1–14. https://doi.org/gssdcp
Choi, E., Han, K., Chang, J., Lee, Y. J., Choi, K. W., Han, C., & Ham, B. (2021). Social participation and depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older adults: Emotional social support as a mediator. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 137, 589–596. https://doi.org/f5rh
Choi, N. O. (1996). Older persons who move: Reasons and health consequences. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 15(3), 325–344. https://doi.org/d6gh4m
Cohen, J., & Cohen, P. (1983). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (2ª ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Publ.
Costa, L., & Pereira, C. (2007). Bem-estar Subjetivo: Aspectos conceituais. Arquivos Brasileiros de Psicologia, 59(1), 72–80. https://bit.ly/4bBkAPN
Cummins, R. A., Eckersley, R., Pallant, J., Van Vugt, J., & Misajon, R. (2003). Developing a national index of subjective wellbeing: The Australian Unity Wellbeing Index. Social Indicators Research, 64(2), 159–190. https://doi.org/d87g2c
Czaja, S., Moxley, J., & Rogers, W. (2021). Social support, isolation, loneliness, and health among older adults in the PRISM randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology 12, 1–14. https://doi.org/gqvv3d
Diener, E. (1996). Subjetive well-being in cross- cultural perspetive. In G. Hector (Ed.), Key issues in cross cultural psychology: Selected papers from the twelfth international congress of the international association for cross-cultural psychology. Academic Press.
Diener, E., & Lucas, R. F. (2000). Subjective emotional well being. In M. Lewis, & J. M. Haviland (Orgs.), Handbook of Emotions (pp. 325–337). Guilford.
Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Lucas, R. E. (2003). Personality, culture, and subjective well-being: Emotional and cognitive evaluations of life. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 403–425. https://doi.org/gts
Espírito‐Santo, H., & Daniel, F. (2018). Optimism and well-being among institutionalized older adults. GeroPsych, 31(1), 5–16. https://doi.org/hd79
Fatemeh, E., Maryam, D., Zahra Rahimi, K., Azadeh, N., Davoud, M., Meimanat, H., Roghayeh, E., & Hamidreza, A. (2020). The concept of successful aging: A review article. Current Aging Science, 13(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/gjsm5p
Field, A. (2018). Discovering statistics using SPSS (5ª ed.). Sage.
Fonseca, A. M. (2020). Aging in place, envelhecimento em casa e na comunidade em Portugal. Public Sciences & Policies, 6(2), 21–39. https://doi.org/mzd2
Galinha, I. (2008). O conceito de bem-estar subjectivo: Factores cognitivos, afectivos e contextuais. Quarteto.
Galinha, I., & Pais-Ribeiro, J. (2005). História e evolução do conceito de bem-estar subjectivo. Psicologia, Saúde & Doenças, 6(2), 203–214. https://bit.ly/3KpRxCI
Galinha, I., & Pais-Ribeiro, J. (2008). The structure and stability of subjective well-being: A structure equation modelling analysis. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 3, 293–314. https://doi.org/fcs5wj
Giacomoni, C. (2004). Bem-estar subjetivo: Em busca da qualidade de vida. Temas em Psicologia da SBP, 12(1), 43–50. https://bit.ly/4bTDzF4
Godoy-Izquierdo, D., Moreno, R. L., Pérez, M. J. C., Serrano, F. A., & García, J. (2012). Correlates of happiness among older Spanish institutionalised and non-institutionalised adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(2), 389–414. https://doi.org/mzd4
Hanratty, B., Stow, D., Collingridge Moore, D., Valtorta, N. K., & Matthews, F. (2018). Loneliness as a risk factor for care home admission in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Age and Ageing, 47(6), 896–900. https://doi.org/gdwnd8
Helliwell, J. F., Layard, R., Sachs, J., Neve, J, Aknin, L. B., & Wang, S. (2024). Happiness and age: Summary. Word Happiness Report. https://bit.ly/4dYopA6
Horowitz, B., & Vanner, E. A. (2010). Relationships among active engagement in life activities and quality of life for assisted-living residents. Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 24(2), 130–150. https://doi.org/ccmjmn
Jarosz, E. (2021). What makes life enjoyable at an older age? Experiential wellbeing, daily activities, and satisfaction with life in general. Aging & Mental Health, 26(6), 1242–1252. https://doi.org/kqvm
Joia, L., Ruiz, T., & Donalisio, M. (2007). Condições associadas ao grau de satisfação com a vida entre a população de idosos. Revista de Saúde Pública, 41(1), 131–138. https://bit.ly/3ViML05
Kwak S. G., & Kim, J. H. (2017). Central limit theorem: The cornerstone of modern statistics. Korean Journal of Anesthesiology, 70(2), 144–156. https://doi.org/f9xvqd
Lawler, K. (2001). Aging in place: Coordinating housing and health care provision for America’s growing elderly population. Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University & Neighbourhood Reinvestment Corporation.
Lelkes, O. (2008). Happiness Across the life cycle: Exploring age-specific preferences. Policy Brief 3.2/2008. European Centre. https://bit.ly/3KmCnhW
Lieber, J., Clarke, L., Timæus, I. M., Mallinson, P. A. C., & Kinra, S. (2020). Changing family structures and self-rated health of India’s older population (1995-96 to 2014). SSM - Population Health, 11(2020), 1–15. https://doi.org/grc8gk
Lin, Y., Xiao, H., Lan, X., Wen, S., & Bao, S. (2020). Living arrangements and life satisfaction: Mediation by social support and meaning in life. BMC Geriatrics, 20(1), Artigo 136. https://doi.org/gtsdmb
Lobos, G., Lapo, M., & Schnettler, B. (2016). Happiness and health and food-related variables: Evidence for different age groups in Chile. Suma Psicologica, 22, 120–128. https://doi.org/mzfc
Luz, M., & Amatuzzi, M. (2008). Vivências de felicidade de pessoas idosas. Estudos de Psicologia, 25(2), 303–307. https://doi.org/bmnrf3
Lyubomirsky, S., & Lepper, H. S. (1999). A measure of subjective happiness: Preliminary reliability and construct validation. Social Indicators Research, 46(2), 137-155. https://doi.org/bfpfhv
Martins, C. (2011). Manual de análise de dados quantitativos com recurso ao IBM SPSS: Saber decidir, fazer, interpretar e redigir. Psiquilíbrios.
Martins, R., Santos, P., & Andrade, A. (2015). Satisfação com a vida em idosos: Prevalência e determinantes. Gestão e Desenvolvimento, 23, 107–123. https://doi.org/mzff
Minney, M. J., & Ranzijn, R. (2016). "We Had a Beautiful Home . . . But I Think I'm Happier Here": A good or better life in residential aged care. Gerontologist 56(5), 919–927. https://doi.org/mzfh
Moor, N., Hamers, K., & Mohammadi, K. (2022). Ageing well in small villages: What keeps older adults happy? Environmental indicators of residential satisfaction in four dutch villages. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(7), Artigo 3922. https://doi.org/mzfj
Morgan, P. (2010). Towards a developmental theory of place attachment. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(1), 11–22. https://doi.org/cqj7d6
Neri, M. (2004). Velhice bem-sucedida: Aspetos afetivos e cognitivos. Psico-USF, 9(1), 109–110. https://doi.org/mzfk
Novo, R. (2003). Para Além da Eudaimonia – O bem-estar psicológico em mulheres na idade adulta avançada. Textos Universitários de Ciências Sociais e Humanas. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian e Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.
Otta, E., Fiquer, J. (2004). Bem-estar subjetivo e regulação de emoções. Psicologia em Revista, 10(15), 144–149. https://bit.ly/3wTo6pE
Ottoni, C.A., Sims-Gould, J., Winters, M., Heijnen, M., McKay, H.A. (2016). Benches become like porches: Built and social environment influences on older adults’ experiences of mobility and well-being. Social Science & Medicine, 169, 33–41. https://doi.org/f89s7t
Pais-Ribeiro, J. L., (2012). Validação transcultural da Escala de Felicidade Subjectiva de Lyubomirsky e Lepper. Psicologia, Saúde e Doenças, 13(2), 157–168. https://bit.ly/3RrZETB
Pais-Ribeiro, J., & Cummins, R. (2008) O bem-estar pessoal: estudo de validação da versão portuguesa da escala. In Leal, I., Pais-Ribeiro, J., Silva, I., & Marques, S. (Eds.). Actas do 7º congresso nacional de psicologia da saúde (pp. 505–508). ISPA.
Rodríguez‐Blázquez, C., Forjaz, M. J., Prieto-Flores, M., Rojo-Pérez, F., & Fernández-Mayoralas, G. (2012). Health status and well‐being of older adults living in the community and in residential care settings: Are differences influenced by age? Aging & Mental Health, 16(7), 884–891. https://doi.org/gsn5qt
Sagiv, L., & Schwartz, S. (2000). Value priorities and subjective well-being: Direct relations and congruity effects. European Journal of Social Psychology, 30, 177–198. https://doi.org/cfw3f6
Silva, E. (2020). Solidão, satisfação com a vida, vontade de viver e saúde mental: um estudo comparativo entre idosos institucionalizados e idosos não institucionalizados [Dissertação de Mestrado, Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto, Portugal]. https://bit.ly/4aEGyju
Simões, A. (1992). Ulterior validação de uma Escala de Satisfação com a Vida (SWLS). Revista Portuguesa de Pedagogia, 26, 503–515. https://bit.ly/44Y2i8Z
Spirduso, W. (2005). Dimensões Físicas do envelhecimento. Manole.
Srivastava, S., Chauhan, S., Muhammad, T., Jean, D., Kumar, P., Patel, R., & Singh, S. K. (2021). Older adults’ psychological and subjective well-being as a function of household decision-making role: Evidence from cross-sectional survey. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 10, Artigo 100676. https://doi.org/gmhxb8
Pavot, W., & Diener, E. (1993). Review of the Satisfaction With Life Scale. Psychological Assessment, 5(2), 164–172. https://doi.org/crbrgf
Prati, G. (2022). Correlates of quality of life, happiness and life satisfaction among European adults older than 50 years: A machine‐learning approach. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 103, Artigo 104791. https://doi.org/mzfq
Van Hoof, J., Verbeek, H., Janssen, B., Eijkelenboom, A., Molony, S., Felix, E., Nieboer, K., Zwerts-Verhelst, E., Sijstermans, J., & Wouters, E. (2016). A three-perspective study of the sense of home of nursing home residents: The views of residents, care professionals and relatives. BMC Geriatrics, 16(169), Artigo 169. https://doi.org/gtf5kr
Vanleerberghe, P., De Witte, N., Claes, C., Schalock, R. L., & Verté, D. (2017). The quality of life of older people aging in place: A literature review. Quality of Life Research, 26(11), 2899–2907. https://doi.org/ghdmm9
Veenhoven, R. (2008). Healthy happiness: Effects of happiness on physical health and the consequences for preventive health care. Journal of Happiness Studies 9, 449–469 https://doi.org/dkv4ck
Wilson, W. (1967). Correlates of avowed happiness. Psychological Bulletin, 67, 294–306. https://doi.org/bfqx55
World Health Organization. (2007). Global age-friendly cities: a guide. World Health Organization. https://bit.ly/3VgcVRc
World Health Organization. (2021). Decade of healthy ageing: baseline report: Summary. World Health Organization. https://bit.ly/3UZtZtt
Wysocki, A., Butler, M., Kane, R. L., Kane, R. A., Shippee, T., & Sainfort, F. (2015). Long-term services and supports for older adults: a review of home and community-based services versus institutional care. Journal of Aging & Social Policy 27(3), 255–279. https://doi.org/gjrj6p
Zhou, Z., Cai, L., Zhuang, M., Hong, Y., & Fang, Y. (2019). A longitudinal analysis of the association between the living arrangements and psychological well-being of older Chinese adults: The role of income sources. BMC Geriatrics, 19(1), Artigo 347. https://doi.org/mzfs
Zubritsky, C., Abbott, K., Hirschman, K. B., Bowles, K. H., Foust, J. B., & Naylor, M. D. (2012). Health-related quality of life: expanding a conceptual framework to include older adults who receive long-term services and supports. The Gerontologist, 53(2), 205–210. https://doi.org/f4s364
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Carolina Nogueira Fonseca, Mónica Teixeira, Ana Paula Caetano, Pedro F. S. Rodrigues
![Creative Commons License](http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/88x31.png)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The authors retain the copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License that allows the sharing of work and recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal.