Elderly people’s life is affected by multiple factors including social support, which is of the utmost importance. This study aimed to explore the association between social support and happiness as well as the impact of types of social support on happiness among elders.
This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 411 elderly men and women referred to the retirement, cultural, and rehabilitation centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Participants were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method. The research instrument included a questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic information, the Oxford Argyle Happiness Inventory, and a Questionnaire derived from Social Support Theory. The questionnaire was completed through a self-report study. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance in IBM SPSS Software ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).
The mean for happiness was reported as 41.17±15.2. The values given for social support were 29.40±11.95 and for its dimensions were 7.53±3.89 and 13.70±4.90 for informational support and emotional support, respectively. Moreover, the mean value for appraisal support was 3.48±2.37 and was 4.70±2.56 for instrumental support. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that social support and demographic variables could account for approximately 25% (R2 =0.25) of changes in the variable of happiness.
High social support could increase happiness among elders. The quality and quantity of social support can be taken into account as proper determinants and predictors of happiness among elders.
Happiness is considered a positive inner experience originating from individuals’ cognitive and emotional interpretation of their lives [
Similar to happiness, old age is experienced as one of the inevitable events in human life by a considerable proportion of the population in different communities [
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 in Hamadan City, western Iran. A total of 411 elderly people aged 60–75 years and receiving services from retirement, cultural, and rehabilitation centers (15 centers) were selected through multi-stage random sampling. First, all actively operating centers in Hamadan, including those that provide career support, cultural and sport services, and rehabilitation for the elderly, were visited. None of the centers are residential and are accessible only through medical rehabilitation centers. Second, the total elderly population of each center was determined, after which the number of individuals targeted for participation in the study was calculated based on the ratio of the total population in each center to the total population in all the centers in Hamadan. Third, the attendance schedules of the elderly in the centers were determined so that they could be invited to participate in the research (The elderly are randomly referred to centers for rehabilitation two days a week, with morning and afternoon sessions). Upon entry into a center, a potential participant was selected based on inclusion criteria and self-report questionnaires. The inclusion criteria were being a member of the centers, having an age of 60–75 years, and willingness to participate in the study (This age range was chosen given the mental issues included in the questionnaire and the inability of elderly individuals over 75 years to respond to such questions for different reasons). The exclusion criteria were reluctance to participate in the study, a history of mental disorders (Alzheimer’s disease and dementia), and physical problems (visual and auditory problems). An elderly individual with hearing and vision impairments was excluded if the disorders exerted disruptive effects. Given that sample size can also be estimated with reference to level of happiness among the elderly [
This study was conducted following the approval of the Research and Ethics Committee of Hamadan University of Medical Scienes (approval no., IR.UMSHA.REC.1394.478) and in accordance with the ethical norms and standards stipulated in the Declaration of Helsinki.
For data collection, a questionnaire consisting of three sections was administered to the participants. The first section was the “demographic and background variables section,” which contained questions about demographic characteristics (age, gender, marital status, occupation, literacy level, income, family dimension). The second section consisted of the standardized 29-item “Oxford Happiness Questionnaire,” whose reliability and validity have been confirmed in different studies [
Analyses were performed using IBM SPSS ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). To determine the relationship among the study variables, Pearson’s correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance were carried out. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant in all tests.
Of the 411 participants, 74% were men and 88.3% were married (
As shown in
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social support and happiness among elderly people. Individuals endowed with favorable social support were expected to exhibit a more positive view toward life, a higher level of satisfaction, and better functioning than those who do not receive such support [
The findings of the current work also suggested a significant relationship between social support and marital status and age. Marriage can create a sense of affection, love, and sympathy, which count as forms of social support that foster satisfaction and tranquility. Such feelings are absent or at low levels among unmarried individuals. The advantages of marriage as well as the density and quality of social support can likewise vary depending on culture. These results are in line with the findings of Heiydari et al. [
In the current research, social support and its dimensions could predict happiness. The results are consistent with the findings of studies that confirmed the predictive power of social support for happiness [
Note that there are three social support aspects that affect a person’s health status and level of happiness. The first is associated with the features of social networks to which a person belongs, in which a link with a network is established through integrated relationships. This structural dimension encompasses the bases of individuals’ relationships, the size of relationship networks, intimate friends available, and frequency of contact. The second aspect of social support is the content of social relationships, which is associated with the functions of social support that involve the features of emotional support, such as love and empathy. In this respect, participatory and advisory support is associated with thinking and feelings, informational support focuses on problem solving and data collection, and instrumental support refers to assistance and services. The third aspect of social support is social network evaluation, which involves the measurement of the quantity and quality of support as well as satisfaction with social relationships [
Similar to any other study, the present research has certain limitations, namely, the establishment of relationships with the elderly people, the acquisition of access to these individuals, and the lack of cooperation by some of them. The results of various studies have revealed that emotional support can exert the strongest impact on quality of life and happiness among the elderly. An equally important consideration, however, is that the elderly are also in dire need of services, financial assistance, and advisory support given their social, economic, and physical status. The findings highlight the need for increased social support to elderly people as this can elevate the levels of happiness in this age group. The amount and quality of support provided to elderly people by family and friends can serve as a predictor of level of happiness. Thus, society should provide the maximum social support (emotional, instrumental, informational, and appraisal) to this population so that certain conditions are accommodated for this target group to enable them to live a life replete with affection and kindness in their homes and more effectively alleviate their concerns regarding old age. Providing them sources of information and emotional support can similarly affect the lives of the elderly and contribute to the promotion of happiness and life satisfaction among them.
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
We would like to thank the Deputy of Research and Technology (Hamadan University of Medical Sciences) for the financial support of this study.
This study is a part of the MSc thesis in health education & promotion and supported originally by grants from the Hamadan University of Medical Sciences (project no., 950117107).
Frequency of demographic variables among participants
Variable | No. (%) |
---|---|
Gender | |
Male | 304 (74.0) |
Female | 107 (26.0) |
Age (y) | |
60–65 | 263 (64.0) |
66–70 | 83 (20.2) |
71–75 | 65 (15.8) |
Marital status | |
Single | 48 (11.7) |
Married | 363 (88.3) |
Literacy level | |
Below diploma | 152 (37.0) |
Diploma | 104 (25.3) |
Academic | 155 (37.7) |
Occupation | |
Retired | 381 (92.7) |
Other | 30 (7.3) |
Family dimension | |
<3 | 248 (60.3) |
≥3 | 163 (39.7) |
Income (US$) | |
<300 | 132 (32.1) |
300–500 | 191 (46.5) |
>500 | 88 (21.4) |
Values are presented as number (%).
The correlation coefficients for happiness and social support variables
Variable | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Mean±standard deviation | Range of scores |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Happiness | 1 | 41.17±15.2 | 0–87 | |||||
2. Social support (total) | 0.454 |
1 | 29.40±11.95 | 0–52 | ||||
3. Emotional support | 0.415 |
0.907 |
1 | 13.70±4.90 | 0–20 | |||
4. Information support | 0.427 |
0.909 |
0.758 |
1 | 7.53±3.89 | 0–14 | ||
5. Instrumental support | 0.352 |
0.823 |
0.636 |
0.669 |
1 | 4.70±2.56 | 0–10 | |
6. Appraisal support | 0.354 |
0.787 |
0.573 |
0.655 |
0.658 |
1 | 3.48±2.37 | 0–8 |
Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level.
Associations between happiness and social support and demographic variables among participants
Variable | Total happiness |
Social support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mean±SD | P-value | Mean±SD | P-value | |
Gender | 0.124 | 0.681 | ||
Male | 41.34±15.62 | 29.55±11.87 | ||
Female | 40.59±14.28 | 28.99±12.24 | ||
Age (y) | 0.002 | 0.050 | ||
60–65 | 42.53±15.28 | 30.11±12.02 | ||
66–70 | 41.45±13.84 | 29.75±11.60 | ||
71–75 | 35.14±15.74 | 26.10±11.77 | ||
Marital status | 0.178 | 0.005 | ||
Single | 37.19±14.24 | 24.89±12.28 | ||
Married | 41.67±15.34 | 30±11.80 | ||
Literacy level | 0.001 | 0.160 | ||
Below diploma | 37.34±15.35 | 28.13±12.25 | ||
Diploma | 44.86±14.15 | 31.03±11.80 | ||
Academic | 42.39±15.19 | 29.55±11.70 | ||
Occupation | 0.057 | 0.877 | ||
Retired | 41.20±15.50 | 29.38±12.04 | ||
Other | 40.40±12.16 | 29.73±11 | ||
Family dimension | 0.373 | 0.353 | ||
<3 | 40.60±15.38 | 29.85±12.03 | ||
≥3 | 41.97±15.19 | 28.73±11.85 | ||
Income (US$) | 0.001 | 0.207 | ||
<300 | 37.76±14.92 | 28.68±11.74 | ||
300–500 | 41.46±15.11 | 28.98±12.26 | ||
≥500 | 45.55±15.09 | 31.93±11.51 |
SD, standard deviation.
Multiple linear regression for associations between happiness and social support and demographic variables among participants
Variable | Happiness |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B | Standard error | Beta (standardized coefficients) | P-value | t-value | |
1. Emotional support | 0.669 | 0.217 | 0.215 | 0.002 | 3.08 |
2. Information support | 0.774 | 0.297 | 0.197 | 0.009 | 2.61 |
3. Instrumental support | 0.233 | 0.392 | 0.039 | 0.552 | 0.596 |
4. Appraisal support | 0.212 | 0.409 | 0.033 | 0.605 | 0.518 |
5. Age | -0.297 | 0.153 | -0.089 | 0.053 | -1.93 |
6. Gender (reference category: male) | -0.034 | 1.91 | -0.001 | 0.986 | -0.018 |
7. Marital status (reference category: single) | 0.542 | 2.55 | 0.011 | 0.832 | 0.212 |
8. Literacy level (reference category: below diploma) | 8.80 | 2.60 | 0.157 | 0.001 | 3.38 |
9. Occupation (reference category: other) | -1.08 | 2.73 | -0.018 | 0.692 | -0.396 |
10. Family dimension (reference category: ≤3) | 1.80 | 1.39 | 0.058 | 0.195 | 1.29 |
11. Income | 8.93 | 0 | 0.049 | 0.279 | 1.08 |
Variable no. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10 are considered quantitatively. R2=0.255.