Happiness and Cognitive Impairment Among Older Adults: Investigating the Mediational Roles of Disability, Depression, Social Contact Frequency, and Loneliness

Jit Hui Tan, Edimansyah Abdin, Shazana Shahwan, Yunjue Zhang, Rajeswari Sambasivam, Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar, Rathi Mahendran, Hong Choon Chua, Siow Ann Chong and Mythily Subramaniam
Additional contact information
Jit Hui Tan: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Shazana Shahwan: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Yunjue Zhang: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Rajeswari Sambasivam: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Rathi Mahendran: Department of Psychological Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 11907, Singapore
Hong Choon Chua: CEO Office, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Siow Ann Chong: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore
Mythily Subramaniam: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore 539747, Singapore

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Understanding the lower level of happiness among older adults with cognitive impairment has been a largely neglected issue. This study (1) reports on the level of happiness among older adults in Singapore and (2) examines the potential mediating roles of depression, disability, social contact frequency, and loneliness in the relationship between cognitive scores and happiness. Methods: Data for this study were extracted from the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (WiSE) study: a cross-sectional; comprehensive single-phase survey conducted among Singapore citizens and permanent residents that were aged 60 years and above ( n = 2565). The Geriatric Mental State examination (GMS) was administered to the participants. Questions pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics; happiness; loneliness; social contact; depression; and, disability were utilized in this study. Logistic regression analyses and mediation analyses were used to explore the correlates of happiness and potential mediating factors. Results: Overall, 96.2% of older adults in Singapore reported feeling either fairly happy or very happy. In the regression analysis, individuals of Malay descent, those who were married/cohabiting, or had higher education levels were more likely to report feeling happy. After controlling for socio-demographic factors, higher cognitive scores were associated with higher odds of reporting happiness. We found that the positive association between cognition and happiness was fully mediated by disability, depression, loneliness, and frequency of contact with friends. Conclusion: The majority of the older adult population reported feeling fairly or very happy. While cognitive impairment has shown limited reversibility in past studies, unhappiness among older adults with cognitive impairment might be potentially mitigated through interventions addressing accompanying issues of social isolation, disability, and depression

Keywords: happiness; cognitive impairment; older adults; social isolation; disability; depression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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