Happy life expectancy among older adults

Differences by sex and functional limitations

Datos Bibliográficos

ID10723716
AutoresMargareth Guimarães (0000-0001-6996-0745, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)), Margareth G Lima (Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)), Ana Paula Belon (0000-0002-4600-3202, University of Alberta), Marilisa Berti De Azevedo Barros (0000-0003-3974-195X, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)), Marilisa BA Barros (Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP))
Año2016
Volumen50
Número0
Páginas64-64
Fecha de publicación2016-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaRevista de Saúde Pública (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0034-8910 • E-ISSN: 0034-8910
EditorialFapUNIFESP (SciELO) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1590/s1518-8787.2016050006727
PMID27849296
OpenAlexW2551521453
SCIELO_PIDS0034-89102016000100244
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas17

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if the happy life expectancy in older adults differs according to sex and functional limitations. METHODS: Life expectancy was estimated by Chiang method, and happy life expectancy was estimated by Sullivan method, combining mortality data with the prevalence of happiness. The questions on happiness and limitations came from a health survey, which interviewed 1,514 non-institutionalized older adults living in the city of Campinas, SP, Southeastern Brazil. The happy life expectancy was estimated by sex, age, and functional limitations. Based on the variance and standard error of the happy life expectancy, we estimated 95% confidence intervals, which allowed us to compare the statistical differences of the number of happy years lived among men and women. RESULTS: Differences by sex in happy life expectancy were significant at ages 60, 65, and 70. In absolute terms, women live more years happily. But, in relative terms, older men could expect to live proportionally more years with happiness. Happy life expectancy decreased significantly with increasing age in both men and women. Among older people living without functional limitation, differences by sex were statistically significant in all age groups, except at age 80. In the group with limitations, no significant differences by sex were found. Significant differences between the group without and with functional limitations were seen in both men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Older men could expect to live a greater proportion of their lives happily in comparison to same-aged women, but women show more years with happiness than men. Functional limitations have a significant impact on happy life expectancy for both sexes

Expectancy theory · Happiness · Life expectancy · Population · Sociology · Aging and Gerontology Research · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology