Social connections and happiness among the elder population of Taiwan

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between social connections and happiness among members of the elder population of Taiwan.

Methods: Longitudinal panel data collected in three waves from 1999 to 2007 that are selected from national samples of Taiwanese older people were used for the analysis (n = 4731 persons). Happiness was defined as a dichotomous variable. Social connection variables included living arrangements, contacts with children/grandchildren/parents/relatives/friends, telephone contacts, providing instrumental and informational support, receiving instrumental and emotional support, and social participation. We controlled for the variables demographics, physical and mental health, economic satisfaction, and lifestyle. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied in the analysis.

Results: Happiness remained stable over time. Receiving more emotional support and participating in social events were related to happiness at the beginning, while the effect of social participation was offset over time. Living arrangements, telephone contacts, providing social support, and receiving instrumental support were not significant.

Conclusion: The quality of social relationships experienced is possibly more important than the quantity of social interaction for older people, and having social relationships outside the informal social network may increase happiness.

Keywords:

• happiness
• older people
• social support
• social connection
• social participation

Acknowledgements

The data was provided by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan, Republic of China. The interpretation and conclusions contained herein do not represent those of Ministry of Health and Welfare. This study had obtained approval by Research Ethics Committee of Central Regional Research Ethics Center, Taiwan. There is no conflict of interests in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The research was supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan, Republic of China [NSC 101-2410-H-468-008-MY2].