Correlates and aetiological factors associated with hedonic well-being among an ageing population of US men and women: secondary data analysis of a national survey

Abstract

ObjectiveTo understand the gender-specific factors that uniquely contribute to successful ageing in a US population of men and women, 57–85 years of age. This was achieved through the examination of the correlates of subjective well-being defined by health-related quality of life (HRQoL), across several biological and psychosocial determinants of health.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe National Social Life, Health and Ageing Project (NSHAP), 2010–2011 a representative sample of the US population.Participants3377 adults aged 57–85 (1538 men, 1839 women) from the NSHAP.Main outcome measuresThe biopsychosocial factors of biological/physiological function, symptom status, functional status, general health perceptions and HRQoL happiness.MethodHRQoL was measured using the NSHAP wave 2 multistage, stratified area probability sample of US households (n=3377). Variable selection was guided by the Wilson and Cleary model (WCM) that classifies health outcomes at five main levels and characteristics.ResultsOur findings indicate differences in biopsychosocial factors comprised in the WCM and their relative importance and unique impact on HRQoL by gender. Women reported significantly lower HRQoL than men (t=3.5, df=3366). The most significant contributors to HRQoL in women were mental health (B=0.31; 0.22, 0.39), loneliness (B=−0.26; −0.35, –0.17), urinary incontinence (B=−0.22; −0.40, –0.05) and support from spouse/partner (B=0.27; 0.10, 0.43) and family B=0.12; 0.03, 0.20). Men indicated mental health (B=0.21; 0.14, 0.29), physical health (B=0.17; 0.10, 0.23), functional difficulties (B=0.38; 0.10, 0.65), loneliness (B=−0.20; −0.26, –0.12), depression (B=−0.36; −0.58, –0.15) and support from friends (B=0.06; 0.10, 0.11) as significant contributors. Those with greater social support had better HRQoL (F=4.22, df=4). Lack of companionship and reliance on spouse/partner were significant HRQoL contributors in both groups.ConclusionOur findings offer insight into ageing, gender and subjective well-being. The results provide an opportunity to identify biopsychosocial factors to inform interventions to support successful ageing.

The prevalence of urinary incontinence in men and women aged 40 years or over in China, Taiwan and South Korea: A cross‐sectional, prevalence‐based study

“…36,37 Conversely, the social embarrassment associated with UI or its impact on self-image in women may confer feelings of anxiety and could lead to social isolation and depression. 5,8 Comparisons between the genders may be further confounded by different coping strategies in men and women. 38,39 In our analysis, 49.6% of participants with UI reported visiting…”

“…5 In an analysis of the National Social Life, Health and Aging Project undertaken in US adults from 2010 to 2011, UI was one of the most significant contributors to poor mental health for women. 8 A number of studies undertaken in Asia have also demonstrated the negative association of UI with health-related quality of life (HRQoL)/mental health, [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] reporting a substantial impact that can be similar to or greater than that caused by other chronic medical diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and chronic kidney disease. 13,19 Despite this, a large proportion of individuals with UI do not seek treatment for their symptoms 20,21 and of those who receive pharmacotherapy, many are dissatisfied and discontinue medication.…”

Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence and Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence among Japanese Older Adults: Associations with Physical Activity, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Well-Being

“…These results also suggest that the presence of UI symptoms affects the mental health of older adults and reduces their sense of well-being. Odlum et al [29] reported that women with UI had significantly higher scores for depression than men, which is consistent with a higher likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders. Therefore, continuous mental health care should be provided to older individuals with UI, especially older women.…”

Associations of combinations of housing tenure status and household structure with subjective happiness among community‐dwelling elderly people: A cross‐sectional study with stratified random sampling

“…Subjective happiness is defined as the degree to which an individual favorably judges the overall quality of his/her own life as a whole, 1 and it is an important marker of successful aging. 2 High subjective happiness contributes to longevity 3 and disease prevention, 4 while low subjective happiness is associated with increased risk of suicide, 5 mental health problems such as depression 6 and dissatisfaction with life. 7 Thus, for health promotion among communitydwelling elderly people, enhancement of subjective happiness is an important public health issue.…”

“…12 Although these previous studies analyzed housing tenure status and household structure separately, the associations between subjective happiness and combination patterns of housing tenure status and household structure have not yet been clarified. To enhance subjective happiness among community-dwelling elderly people, these associations need to be determined, after controlling the possible confounding variables related to elderly people's happiness, such as gender, 6,13 age, 14 economic status 10,11,15,16 and subjective health status. 17 The purpose of the present study was to clarify which combinations of housing tenure status and household structure are associated with high or low subjective happiness among community-dwelling elderly people.…”