Bem-estar subjetivo e insegurança alimentar em pessoas idosas

Abstract

Subjective Well-Being (SWB) is a psychological construct often equated with the notion of happiness, composed of three main components: satisfaction with life, the presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions, influenced by a variety of factors including living conditions and sociodemographic variables. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between subjective well-being and food insecurity among elderly individuals in the state of Paraíba, Brazil. The dissertation is structured into two articles, each with specific objectives aligned with the overall goal. The first article aimed to characterize the presence or absence of food insecurity in the elderly and its association with sociodemographic variables. The second article explored the relationship between subjective well-being, sociodemographic variables, and food insecurity in the elderly. A non-probabilistic, incidental sample of 158 elderly individuals aged between 60 and 88 years participated, with the majority being older women (60.8%). The following instruments were utilized: Sociodemographic Questionnaire; Brazilian Scale of Food Insecurity in its shortened five-item version; Life Satisfaction Scale; and the Scale of Positive and Negative Affects. Data were collected in person, approaching participants in public spaces like streets and squares, as well as in their residences. Regarding data analysis, the distribution of data was initially assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, followed by non-parametric statistical tests (Chi-square (χ2), Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's Correlation). A prevalence of 51.9% (n=82) of food insecurity among the elderly was observed, with positive affirmations for all scale items. No significant differences were identified concerning gender, age group, and the race/color variable. A significant association between food insecurity and income, as well as education levels, was observed. Food insecurity was more prevalent among elderly individuals with income up to one minimum wage and those with up to 5 years of education. An inverse moderate correlation between food insecurity and income (ρ = -0.36; p< 0.001) and an inverse weak correlation between food insecurity and education levels (ρ=-0.30; p < 0.001) were identified, suggesting that lower levels of income and education are associated with a higher tendency towards food insecurity. The results for the overall sample (n=158) demonstrated satisfactory levels for the SWB scale and related factors. However, significant differences were observed in the comparison of medians by criterion groups associated with sociodemographic variables and food insecurity. An inverse strong correlation was found between food insecurity, Subjective Well-Being, Positive Affects, and Life Satisfaction. Conversely, the Negative Affects factor correlated positively and strongly with food insecurity. Satisfactory levels of happiness in old age are associated with life satisfaction. However, objective life conditions, such as hunger and low income levels, impact life satisfaction and happiness.