Felicidade, bem-estar subjetivo e satisfação com a vida: Um estudo comparado entre idosos longevos do nordeste e sudeste do Brasil

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Since the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined health as a state of physical, mental and social well-being, the indicators “subjective well-being”, “happiness” and “global life satisfaction” have gained space in the world. scientific literature, becoming important constructs for health assessment, including the theme of longevity, in view of a change in the demographic transition that has occurred in recent years. OBJECTIVE: to investigate and compare factors associated with happiness, subjective well-being and life satisfaction in older elderly people in two different regions of Brazil. METHOD: Cross-sectional and analytical study performed with 417 Brazilians aged 80 years and older, 179 from Northeast and 238 form the Southeast. RESULTS: The prevalence of feelings of happiness, subjective well-being, and overall life satisfaction were very similar for the older elderly in both regions. While in the Southeast, the predictive factors were literacy, higher income, and better economic situation, with many elderly people living alone; in the Northeast, the affective ties with more people seem to predominate, as well as having a more frequent and diverse support network, and practice leisure activities. CONCLUSION: Our findings support a view of social bonds and family support enables the older elderly people to feel more satisfied with life, performing activities that bring happiness and subjective well-being.