Systematic Evaluation of the Factors Influencing Subjective Well-Being in the Elderly

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.01.Art031

Authors : Masarah Mohamad Yusof, Zhang Wen, Zhu Ling Yu, Azlinda Azman

Abstract:

This article employs a systematic literature review to examine a few factors influencing subjective well-being among the elderly. The findings indicate that 1) demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, educational level, and economic income; 2) social factors including social support, social comparison, and children-related factors; and 3) psychological factors such as personality traits, self-efficacy, and sense of control affect the subjective well-being of elderly individuals. Future research should focus on the following areas including 1) attention to special elderly groups, particularly those in rural areas and non-home-based care settings; 2) diversification of research methodologies, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches; and 3) enriching the content of research to explore the factors influencing elderly subjective well-being from multiple perspectives, especially understanding the psychological factors involved.

References:

[1].   World Health Organization—Health topics—Ageing, 2023.

[2].   Wang, Q., 2021, New challenges and responses facing China's social security under the new situation: An analysis based on the Seventh National Census data. Chongqing Administration, 22(6), 105-106.

[3].   Wang, N., Xu, T., Liu, H., et al., 2021, Research on the subjective well-being of the elderly from a healthy aging perspective. Health Medicine Research and Practice, 18(1), 105-108.

[4].   Li, S., Zhang, K., Fang, X., 2013, Research on the relationship between positive psychology and elderly well-being. Journal of Tianjin Normal University (Social Science), (2), 61-65.

[5].   Liang, J., 2014, Research on the pathways to enhance elderly subjective well-being from the perspective of positive psychology. Journal of Guangdong Water Resources and Electric Power Vocational Technology College, 12(4), 60-63.

[6].   The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China Report, 2017. https://www.spp.gov.cn/tt/201710/t20171018_202773.shtml

[7].   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.

[8].   Jan, M. B., Victoria, L., Boudet, A. M. M., et al., 2017, Subjective well-being across the lifespan in Europe and Central Asia. Journal of Population Ageing, 10(2), 125-158.

[9].   Diener, E., Suh, E. M., Lucas, R. E., Smith, H. L., 1999, Subjective Well-being: Three Decades of Progress. Psychological Bulletin, 125(2), 276-302.

[10].  Bradburn, N. M., 1969, The Structure of Psychological Well-being. Chicago: Aldine Publishing Company.

[11].  Empty Nest Elderly Account for Half of the Elderly Population, China Aging Development Center, 2020, May 4. [Retrieved December 15, 2023].

[12].  Diener, E., Tay, L., 2015, Subjective well-being and human welfare around the world as reflected in the Gallup World Poll. Journal International de Psychologie, 50(2), 135-149.

[13].  Huang, F., Duan, C., 2022, From demographic dividend to quality dividend: An analysis based on the Seventh National Census. Population and Development, 28(1), 117-126.

[14].  Watkins, P. C., Woodward, K., Stone, T., et al., 2003, Gratitude and happiness: Development of a measure of gratitude, and relationships with subjective well-being. Social Behavior & Personality: an International Journal, 31(5), 431-451.

[15].  Peng, X., Sun, R., 2021, A review of studies on the subjective well-being of institutionalized elderly. Fortune Times, (9), 155-156, 159.

[16].  Yanqiu, Y., Vivian, F., Joseph, L., et al., 2020, The associations between psychological needs, health-related quality of life and subjective well-being among Chinese older people: A cross-sectional study. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(2), 570-578.

[17].  McCullough, M. E., Emmons, R. A., Tsang, J. A., 2002, The grateful disposition: A conceptual and empirical topography. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(1), 112-127.

[18].  Xia, Y., Wang, G., Yang, F., 2024, A nationwide study of the impact of social quality factors on life satisfaction among older adults in rural China. Dental Science Reports, 14. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-61398-4.

[19].  Xu, G., Zhao, C., Li, Q., 2021, Subjective well-being and mortality among the older people in China. Nan, 5(1), 1–24. doi:10.1007/S42379-021-00076-8.

[20].  Qiu-juan, Y., 2010, A Meta-analysis of Factors Affecting Subjective Well-being of the Elderly in China. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology.

[21].  Ren, Q., Li, J., Yu, D., et al., 2018, Study on Subjective Well-being and Its Influencing Factors Among Rural Solitary Elderly in a Certain Area of Anhui Province. Chinese Journal of Disease Control, 22(6), 581-584.

[22].  Xu, X., Li, X., Li, F., et al., 2021, Factors Influencing the Subjective Well-being of the Elderly and the Moderating Role of Gratitude. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 41(17), 3826-3829.

[23].  Zhang, L., Li, W., Li, C., et al., 2021, The Cognitive-emotional Dual Structure of Gratitude and Its Relationship with Subjective Well-being. Chinese Psychological Society. The 23rd National Psychological Academic Conference Abstract Collection (Upper), Shaanxi Normal University School of Psychology, 2.

[24].  Zhu, W., 2020, Health, Security, and Social Integration: A Study of Subjective Well-being of the Elderly from the Perspective of Active Aging. Journal of Hunan University of Finance and Economics, 36(3), 38-47.

[25].  Li, Z., Yu, Y., Qin, S., et al., 2022, Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Subjective Well-being of Rural Elderly with Chronic Diseases in Qiannan Area. Nursing Research, 36(2), 293-298.

[26].  Long, H., Feng, H., Yang, L., et al., 2021, Subjective Well-being and Its Influencing Factors Among Rural Dong Ethnic Elderly in Guizhou. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 41(13), 2876-2879.

[27].  Li, Y., Wu, R., Tang, H., et al., 2019, Subjective Well-being and Its Influencing Factors Among Rural Shui Ethnic Elderly in Guizhou. Everyone's Health, (14), 281-282.

[28].  Yang, X., Wang, Y., 2021, Study on Subjective Well-being and Its Influencing Factors Among Rural Elderly in Haiyuan County. Health Soft Science, 35(10), 39-42.

[29].  Jivraj, S., Nazroo, J., Vanhoutte, B., Chandola, T., 2014, Aging and Subjective Well-being in Later Life. Journals of Gerontology Series B-psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 69(6), 930–941. doi:10.1093/GERONB/GBU006.

[30].  Yeh, W., 2023, The Impact of Living Arrangements and Social Capital on the Well-being of the Elderly. Nan. doi:10.3390/healthcare11142050.

[31].  Muhammad, T., Kumar, P., Srivastava, S., 2022, How Socioeconomic Status, Social Capital, and Functional Independence Are Associated with Subjective Wellbeing Among Older Indian Adults? A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis. BMC Public Health, 22(1). doi:10.1186/s12889-022-14215-4.

[32].  Palmatier, R. W., Houston, M. B., Hulland, J., 2018, Literature Reviews as Independent Studies: Guidelines for Academic Practice. Review of Managerial Science, 12(3), 225-250.

[33].  Chigbu, U. E., Atiku, S. O., Du Plessis, C. C., 2023, The Science of Literature Reviews: Searching, Identifying, Selecting, and Synthesising. Publications, 11(1), 2-16. doi:10.3390/publications11010002.

[34].  Lim, K., Weissmann, M., Kraus, S., 2021, Writing a Literature Review. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-298.

[35].  Xia, Y., Wang, G., Yang, F., 2024, A nationwide study of the impact of social quality factors on life satisfaction among older adults in rural China. Dental Science Reports, 14. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-61398-4.

[36].  Borisov, G. I., Sergeeva, T. B., Glukhanyuk, N. S., 2024, Predictors of Subjective Well-being and Life Satisfaction of People in Late Age: Applied Aspect. Perspektivy Nauki i Ob.

[37].  Leontyeva, E. G., Kalashnikova, T. V., Danilova, N. E., Krakovetckaya, I. V., 2016, Subjective Well-being as a Result of the Realization of Projects of the Elderly's Involvement into the Social Life. Perspectives of Science and Education, 1-6. doi:10.15405/EPSBS.2016.02.1.

[38].  Silva, A., 2018, Physical Activity and Subjective Well-Being in the Elderly. Perspectives of Science and Education, doi:10.15405/EPSBS.2018.11.18.

[39].  Dai, Y.-D., Yeh, G.-L., Tsai, T., Chen, Y.-C., Chen, Y., 2023, Mapping Well-Being for Elders: The Antecedents and Consequences of Perceived Freedom in Leisure. Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, 25-44. doi:10.1108/s1745-354220230000019002.

[40].  Ortega-Gil, M., García, A. M., ElHichou-Ahmed, C., 2021, The Effect of Ageing, Gender and Environmental Problems on Subjective Well-Being. Land, 10(12), 1314. doi:10.3390/LAND10121314.

[41].  Ferring, D., Boll, T., 2010, Subjective Well-being in Older Adults: Current State and Gaps of Research. Perspectives of Science and Education, 173–212. doi:10.1057/9780230307346_7.

[42].  Wang, X., 2016, Subjective Well-being Associated with Size of Social Network and Social Support of Elderly. Journal of Health Psychology, 21(6), 1037–1042. doi:10.1177/1359105314544136.

[43].  Zhu, J., Liang, C., Lucas, J., Cheng, W., Zhao, Z., 2020, The Influence of Income and Social Capital on the Subjective Well-Being of Elderly Chinese People, Based on a Panel Survey. Sustainability, 12(11), 4786. doi:10.3390/SU12114786.

[44].  Xu, G., Zhao, C., Li, Q., 2021, Subjective Well-being and Mortality Among Older People in China. Nan, 5(1), 1–24. doi:10.1007/S42379-021-00076-8.

[45].  Festinger, L., 1954, A Theory of Social Comparison Processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117-140.

[46].  Ding, F. Q., Zhao, H. Y., 2018, Is Gratitude Associated with Greater Subjective Well-being? — A Meta-analysis. Advances in Psychological Science, 26(10), 1749-1764.

[47].  Zelikova, Yu. A., 2014, Successful Ageing or When Age is Joy: Subjective Well-being of Seniors, A Cross-National Analysis. Sociological Studies, (11), 60–69.

[48].  Halisch, F., Geppert, U., 2012, Personality Determinants of Subjective Well-being in Old Age: Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Analyses. Perspectives of Science and Education, 139–171.

[49].  Kaučič, B. M., Filej, B., Ovsenik, M., 2016, The Influence of Social Factors on Life Satisfaction in Old Age. Revija za Univerzalno Odličnost, 5(4), 300–318.

[50].  Nannan, 2022, A Predictive Model of Subjective Wellbeing in the Elderly Population. Perspectives of Science and Education. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2246243/v1.

[51].  Abe, N., Oe, N., Tadaka, E., Ojima, T., 2023, Factors Related to Subjective Well-being Among Community-dwelling Older Adults Living Alone: A Stratified Analysis by Sex and Marital Status from the JAGES. PLOS ONE, 18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289571.

[52].  Yoon, D. P., 2006, Factors Affecting Subjective Well-Being for Rural Elderly Individuals. Journal of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 25(2), 59–75. doi:10.1300/J377V25N02_04