Self-determination and Physical Functioning as Mediators of the Association between Self-reported Sensory Impairments and Happiness among Older Adults

Risk assessment of unclean cooking energy usage from the perspective of subjective wellbeing: The mediating role of perceived physical and mental health

Although outdoor air pollution has been associated with adverse health outcomes and decreased subjective welfare, there has been a lack of research investigating the potential risks associated with indoor unclean cooking energy usage from the perspective of subjective wellbeing. This paper systematically assesses the risks of unclean cooking fuel usage from the novel perspective of subjective welfare and examines the mediating role of perceived physical and mental health applying a large-scale nationally representative dataset. Analytical results demonstrate that the usage of unclean cooking energy has significantly negative impacts on subjective wellbeing, and this finding has been confirmed through various robustness tests. The mechanism behind this impact is that unclean cooking fuel usage reduces people's perceived physical and mental health status, which in turn decreases their subjective wellness. Furthermore, the negative consequences of using unclean cooking energy on subjective wellbeing are particularly pronounced among certain demographic groups, including older, lower educated, married individuals as well as those with lower economic status, uncovered by medical insurance and having less social capital. Findings of this study highlight the risks linked to unclean cooking energy usage, as evidenced in the negative impact on perceived health and subjective wellbeing. In light of the increasing focus on improving indoor environment as well as enhancing people's health and wellbeing, results of this paper emphasize the significance of promoting access to cleaner and healthier energy.

Factors associated with happiness among community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To identify factors associated with self-reported happiness among community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Searches were conducted in the PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus and Pubmed databases for relevant articles published in English, Spanish or Portuguese using the following search strategy and Boolean operators: (happiness*) AND (elder* OR (old adult*)). No restriction was imposed with regards to year of publication. This review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42018107302).

RESULTS

Forty-six articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. Economic, social and health-related factors were associated with happiness among community-dwelling older adults. The sociodemographic characteristics of older adults, such as the female sex, being married, an older age, a higher level of schooling and having a religion, were also associated with happiness.

CONCLUSIONS

The articles included in the present systematic review demonstrate that social, economic and health-related aspects have an association with happiness in community-dwelling older adults.