Association between Happiness and Economic Status among Older Adults in Two Myanmar Regions

Yuri Sasaki, Yugo Shobugawa, Ikuma Nozaki, Daisuke Takagi, Yuiko Nagamine, Masafumi Funato, Yuki Chihara, Yuki Shirakura, Kay Thi Lwin, Poe Ei Zin, Thae Zarchi Bo, Tomofumi Sone and Hla Hla Win
Additional contact information
Yuri Sasaki: Department of International Health and Collaboration, National Institute of Public Health, Wako City 351-0197, Japan
Yugo Shobugawa: Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
Ikuma Nozaki: Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
Daisuke Takagi: Department of Health and Social Behavior, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
Yuiko Nagamine: Department of Family Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
Masafumi Funato: Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Yuki Chihara: Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
Yuki Shirakura: Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata City 951-8510, Japan
Kay Thi Lwin: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine 1, Yangon 245, Myanmar
Poe Ei Zin: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine 1, Yangon 245, Myanmar
Thae Zarchi Bo: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine 1, Yangon 245, Myanmar
Tomofumi Sone: National Institute of Public Health, Wako City 351-0197, Japan
Hla Hla Win: Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Medicine 1, Yangon 245, Myanmar

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: Few studies have examined whether objective or subjective economic status (ES) has a greater association with the happiness of older adults, despite concerns regarding the growing economic cost of morbidity and their functional dependence in developing countries with aging populations. Thus, this study examined whether objective/subjective ES was associated with happiness in older adults in two Myanmar regions. A multistage random sampling procedure and face-to-face interviews were conducted in the urban and rural areas of Myanmar. The happiness of 1200 participants aged >60 years was evaluated using a single happiness score ranging from 0 (very unhappy) to 10 (very happy). The wealth index, used as an objective ES, was calculated from 17 household asset items, such as radio, washing machines, and television. Subjective ES was assessed by asking “Which of the following best describes your current financial situation in light of general economic conditions?” Responses ranged from “very difficult” to “very comfortable”. Both low objective and subjective ES were negatively associated with happiness, after adjusting for confounding variables and stratification by region (urban and rural areas). Although objective and subjective ES had similar associations with happiness in urban areas, subjective ES had a stronger association in rural areas.

Keywords: happiness; objective economic status; subjective economic status; older adults; Myanmar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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