Health, coping and subjective well-being: results of a longitudinal study of elderly Israelis. (3rd June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carmel, Sara; Raveis, Victoria H.; O'Rourke, Norm; Tovel, Hava
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 21:Number 6(2017)
• Page Start: 616
• Page End: 623
• Publication Date: 2017-06-03
• Subjects: Subjective well-being -- health -- personal resources -- reactive coping -- proactive coping; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1141285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives: The aim of this study was to test a conceptual model designed to promote the understanding of factors influencing subjective well-being (SWB) in old age. Within this framework, we evaluated the relative influences on elderly Israelis' SWB of health and/or function, personal resources, coping behaviors (reactive and proactive), and changes in all of these factors over time. Method: At baseline, 1216 randomly selected elderly persons (75+) were interviewed at home (T1) and 1019 one year later (T2). The conceptual model was evaluated by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis using AMOS 18. Results: After one year, a relatively high percentage of participants reported decline in health/function (DHF) and in personal resources. The effects of the study variables on T2-SWB were evaluated by a SEM analysis, resulting in a satisfying fit: χ 2 = 279.5 (df = 102), p < .001, CFI = .970, NFI = .954, TLI = .955, RMSEA = .046. In addition to significant direct effects of health/function on T2-SWB, health/function was found to indirectly influence T2-SWB. Our analysis showed that health/function had a negative influence on the positive effects of personal resources (function self-efficacy, social support) and the diverse effects of the coping patterns (goal-reengagement – positive; expectations for future care needs – negative; having concrete plans for future care – positive). Conclusion: Personal resources and use of appropriate coping behaviors enable elderly people to control their well-being even in the presence of DHF. Evidence-based interventions can help older people to acquire and/or strengthen effective personal resources and coping patterns, thus, promoting their SWB.