Life Satisfaction and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health in Older Adults.

TitleLife Satisfaction and Subsequent Physical, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Health in Older Adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsKim, ES, Delaney, SW, Tay, L, Chen, Y, Diener, ED, VanderWeele, TJ
JournalThe Milbank Quarterly
Volume99
Issue1
Pagination209-239
ISSN Number1468-0009
KeywordsLife Satisfaction, Outcome-wide epidemiology, psychological well-being, Public Health
Abstract

Policy Points Several intergovernmental organizations (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Health Organization, United Nations) are urging countries to use well-being indicators (e.g., life satisfaction) in addition to traditional economic indicators when making important policy decisions. As the number of governments implementing this new approach grows, so does the need to continue evaluating the health and well-being outcomes we might observe from policies aimed at improving life satisfaction. The results of this study suggest that life satisfaction is a valuable target for policies aiming to enhance several indicators of psychosocial well-being, health behaviors, and physical health outcomes.

CONTEXT: Several intergovernmental organizations (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, World Health Organization, United Nations) are urging countries to use well-being indicators (e.g., life satisfaction) in addition to traditional economic indicators when making important policy decisions. As the number of governments implementing this new approach grows, so does the need to continue evaluating the health and well-being outcomes we might observe from policies aimed at improving life satisfaction.

METHODS: We evaluated whether positive change in life satisfaction (between t ;2006/2008 and t ;2010/2012) was associated with better outcomes on 35 indicators of physical, behavioral, and psychosocial health and well-being (in t ;2014/2016). Data were from 12,998 participants in the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study-a prospective and nationally representative cohort of US adults over age 50.

FINDINGS: Participants with the highest (versus lowest) life satisfaction had better subsequent outcomes on some physical health indicators (lower risk of pain, physical functioning limitations, and mortality; lower number of chronic conditions; and higher self-rated health) and health behaviors (lower risk of sleep problems and more frequent physical activity), and nearly all psychosocial indicators (higher positive affect, optimism, purpose in life, mastery, health mastery, financial mastery, and likelihood of living with spouse/partner; and lower depression, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, negative affect, perceived constraints, and loneliness) over the 4-year follow-up period. However, life satisfaction was not subsequently associated with many specific health conditions (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, stroke, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, arthritis, overweight/obesity, or cognitive impairment), other health behaviors (i.e., binge drinking or smoking), or frequency of contact with children, family, or friends.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that life satisfaction is a valuable target for policies aiming to enhance several indicators of psychosocial well-being, health behaviors, and physical health outcomes.

DOI10.1111/1468-0009.12497
Citation Key11415
PubMed ID33528047
PubMed Central IDPMC7984669
Grant ListK99AG055696 / GF / NIH HHS / United States
61075 / / John Templeton Foundation /
/ / Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research /