Risk factors for a decrease in high morale in very old people over a 5-year period: data from two Nordic countries

Marina Näsman (), Johan Niklasson (), Mikael Nygård (), Birgitta Olofsson (), Hugo Lövheim (), Yngve Gustafson () and Fredrica Nyqvist ()
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Marina Näsman: Åbo Akademi University
Johan Niklasson: Umeå University
Mikael Nygård: Åbo Akademi University
Birgitta Olofsson: Umeå University
Hugo Lövheim: Umeå University
Yngve Gustafson: Umeå University
Fredrica Nyqvist: Åbo Akademi University

European Journal of Ageing, 2020, vol. 17, issue 1, No 4, 41 pages

Abstract: Abstract High morale could be considered to be an essential part of aging well and increased knowledge of how to prevent a decrease in high morale in very old age could have important implications for policy, and social and health care development. The objective was to identify social and health-related risk factors for a decrease in morale over 5 years in very old people among those with high morale at baseline. The study is based on data derived from the Umeå85+/GERDA study conducted in Northern Sweden and Western Finland. The final sample consisted of 174 individuals who were 85 years and older at baseline and who had completed the follow-up 5 years later. Morale was measured with The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). A set of social and health-related variables were used to test which factors were associated with a decrease in morale over 5 years. Linear regression was used for the multivariable analyses. The sample had a mean change of − 1.3 (SD = 2.5) in PGCMS scores from T1 to T2. The results from the regression analyses showed that development of depressive disorders, increased feelings of loneliness and the death of a child during the follow-up period were associated with a decrease in morale. The results from our study indicate that preventing the development of depressive disorders and increasing loneliness are key factors in preventing a decrease in high morale. Additionally, very old people who have recently lost an adult child should receive adequate psychosocial support.

Keywords: Longitudinal studies; Aged 80 and over; Subjective well-being; Quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10433-019-00521-1

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