Objectives: Physical health challenges can threaten the subjective well-being (SWB) of community-dwelling older adults. However, the robustness of this association is influenced by the domain of physical health and SWB under study, the timeline these are investigated on, and the coping and adaptation resources available to older adults. We therefore conducted a systematic review of associations across different domains of physical health (subjective, functional, performance, morbidity), SWB (life satisfaction, positive and negative affect), study design (cross-sectional, longitudinal, micro-longitudinal), and moderators.

Method: Comprehensive literature searches were undertaken according to pre-registered criteria. Study quality along with a narrative synthesis is provided.

Results: Of the 179 associations tested in 100 peer-reviewed studies, 65% were reported as significant. However, this pattern is less consistent than previously assumed, with associations varying by physical health domain, component of SWB, study design, and moderator. Evidence was especially robust for performance ability and subjective health, and for longitudinal and micro-longitudinal designs (where study quality was also highest). Some studies reported that coping and adaptation resources attenuated associations (e.g., quality of social support, perceived control).

Discussion: Studies showed that physical health can undermine the short and long-term maintenance of SWB, but whether and how it does depend on the domain of physical health and SWB under study as well as the coping and adaptation resources available to older adults. This review emphasizes the utility of analysing associations with multidimensional operationalisations, and assessing these over the timescales from which they unfold.

Authors:
Angelica Hosea, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
Emma Bridger, University of Leicester, United Kingdom
Sophie Potter, Heriot-Watt University, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Angelica Hosea is currently a PhD student in the School of Psychology and Vision Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark