Happiness, functioning, health literacy, and well-being among older adults: a study in primary health care
1
Graduate Program in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
2
Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
3
Department of Speech, Language and, Hearing Sciences, São Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Considering the social context and the potential of primary health care, it is necessary to adopt effective public policies that promote autonomy, independence, and well-being in aging1-2. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to analyze the association between happiness, perceived well-being, functioning, health literacy, and contextual aspects among older adults.
METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional analytical observational study, approved by the institutional ethics committee, with a sample of 81 users of the primary health care of a small city in Brazilian southeast. Procedures included the application of the Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion (CCEB), the Subjective Happiness Scale, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-Speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18), and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Analyses included descriptive and bivariate approaches, along with multiple linear regression.
RESULTS:
Most participants were female, the majority belonged to socioeconomic classes with low purchasing power, and the mean age was 73.93 years (± 8.12). In WHODAS 2.0, the mean simple score was 48.77 (±18.27), indicating good functional clinical status. In WHO-5, the mean score was 16.81 points (±6.35), reflecting good perceived well-being. On the Subjective Happiness Scale, the mean score was 5.09 (±1.47), considered a good level of perceived happiness. In SAHLPA-18, most participants presented inadequate health literacy. In the final regression model for the Subjective Happiness Scale, significant predictors were well-being and the Mobility and Participation domains of WHODAS 2.0.
CONCLUSIONS:
Higher levels of well-being and lower mobility limitations were associated with better perceived happiness, while reduced social participation had a negative impact on the perception of happiness.
Considering the social context and the potential of primary health care, it is necessary to adopt effective public policies that promote autonomy, independence, and well-being in aging1-2. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to analyze the association between happiness, perceived well-being, functioning, health literacy, and contextual aspects among older adults.
METHODS:
This was a cross-sectional analytical observational study, approved by the institutional ethics committee, with a sample of 81 users of the primary health care of a small city in Brazilian southeast. Procedures included the application of the Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion (CCEB), the Subjective Happiness Scale, the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0), the Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Portuguese-Speaking Adults (SAHLPA-18), and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Analyses included descriptive and bivariate approaches, along with multiple linear regression.
RESULTS:
Most participants were female, the majority belonged to socioeconomic classes with low purchasing power, and the mean age was 73.93 years (± 8.12). In WHODAS 2.0, the mean simple score was 48.77 (±18.27), indicating good functional clinical status. In WHO-5, the mean score was 16.81 points (±6.35), reflecting good perceived well-being. On the Subjective Happiness Scale, the mean score was 5.09 (±1.47), considered a good level of perceived happiness. In SAHLPA-18, most participants presented inadequate health literacy. In the final regression model for the Subjective Happiness Scale, significant predictors were well-being and the Mobility and Participation domains of WHODAS 2.0.
CONCLUSIONS:
Higher levels of well-being and lower mobility limitations were associated with better perceived happiness, while reduced social participation had a negative impact on the perception of happiness.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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