Health, coping and subjective well-being: results of a longitudinal study of elderly Israelis

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: χ² = 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.

KEYWORDS:

• Subjective well-being
• health
• personal resources
• reactive coping
• proactive coping

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by US – Israel Binational Science Foundation (grant number–BSF2008312, 2010); The Abraham and Sonia Rochlin Foundation; and Israel Ministry for Senior Citizens. The authors gratefully acknowledge this support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

US – Israel Binational Science Foundation [grant number BSF2008312, 2010]; The Abraham and Sonia Rochlin Foundation; Israel Ministry for Senior Citizens.