Using Changes in Life Satisfaction and Health to Predict the Survival Status Among Older Men and Women in Taiwan

Abstract

This study used a subjective measure of quality of life, life satisfaction, to predict survival. Time-varying measures were introduced and comparisons were made across gender to test whether the patterns of associations would differ across gender. Results showed that, among female elders, life satisfaction was a significant predictor of survival over a 12-year period, after objective health was controlled for. Findings seem to support that subjective perceptions of well-being are not simply reflections of objective life conditions. As an indicator of subjective well-being, life satisfaction was as important as objective health in predicting survival among older women.

Keywords:

• gender differences
• life satisfaction
• time-varying
• elderly
• Taiwan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was part of the PhD dissertation of Hsin-Wang Lin, under the direction of Ho-Jui Tung. Data were made available by the Population and Health Research Center, the Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan. The interpretations contained herein do not represent those of the Bureau of Health Promotion.