Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to analyze predictive factors that influence subjective happiness to provide basic data about improvements in quality of life in old age and successful senescence. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The research method is a descriptive research study. The subjects were 150 solitary elderly women over the age of 65 living in D gu, D metropolitan city and data collection was done for 5 weeks from August 8, 2016 to September 9, 2016 and analysis was done through descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Findings: Between subjective happiness, Pain (r=-.502, p<.001), Suicidal ideation (r=-.507, p<.001), and Disabilities in daily living (r=-.535, p<.001) showed statistically significant level to average negative correlation and Depression (r=-.800, p<.001) showed high negative correlation. Between subjective happiness, Perceived health status (r=.587, p<.001), and Social support (r=.709, p<.001) showed average simple correlation. Factors influencing subjective happiness was in the order of Depression (B=-.059, p=.000), Social support (B=.011, p=.003), Disabilities in daily living (B=-.111, p=.004), and Age (B=.126, p=.009), with the total explanatory power of 70.3%. Improvements/Applications: To improve subjective happiness in solitary elderly women and for them to lead a successful life in later years, there needs to be emotional support, establishment of social support system, and development of intervention to reduce disabilities in daily life.
Keywords: Aged, Depression, Happiness, Health Status, Pain, Suicide, Social Support