Predicting positive well-being in older men and women.

TitlePredicting positive well-being in older men and women.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsWaddell, EL, Jacobs-Lawson, JM
JournalInt J Aging Hum Dev
Volume70
Issue3
Pagination181-97
Date Published2010
ISSN Number0091-4150
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, depression, Female, Health Status, Humans, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Personal Satisfaction, Predictive Value of Tests, Quality of Life, Regression Analysis, Religion and Psychology, Self Concept, Sex Distribution, Social Behavior, Surveys and Questionnaires, Volunteers
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of background, psychological, and social variables on older adults' well-being, and how this may differ for men and women. Participants included 800 adults from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), aged 60 to 101 years old (M = 71.22, SD = 8.46), who completed the optional positive well-being module. Gender-based regression models revealed that for men, marital status, self-rated health, and depression were significant predictors and accounted for 32% of the variability in positive well-being. Similar to men, self-rated health and depression were significant predictors of well-being for women. Additional significant predictors for women included age, the importance of religion, and volunteer work. Combined, these variables explained 35% of the variance in women's positive well-being. These results can help us understand which variables are important to target when developing interventions to improve the well-being of older men and women.

DOI10.2190/AG.70.3.a
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20503804?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Well Being/Elderly/Women/Health/Depression/Marital Status/Psycho-social

Endnote ID

23350

Alternate JournalInt J Aging Hum Dev
Citation Key7494
PubMed ID20503804