The Origins of Happiness

Happiness at Older Ages

Never married (ref=married)

Divorced (ref=married)

Widowed (ref=married)

Cultural engagement

Organizational involvement

Social network

Loneliness

Positive support

–0.05 (0.01)

–0.05 (0.01)

–0.01 (0.01)

0.02 (0.01)

0.04 (0.01)

0.03 (0.01)

–0.28 (0.01)

0.16 (0.01)

Social factors β

–0.30–0.25–0.20–0.15–0.10–0.050.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

Chronic lung disease
Cancer
Arthritis
Diabetes
Stroke
Coronary heart disease
Limiting long-standing illness

–0.005 (0.01)

–0.02 (0.01)

–0.01 (0.01)

–0.004 (0.01)

–0.01 (0.01)

–0.01 (0.01)

–0.04 (0.01)

Physical health

–0.30–0.25–0.20–0.15–0.10–0.050.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

ADL diculties

Hearing

Eyesight

Sleep quality

Impaired mobility

Urinary incontinence

Chronic pain

–0.03 (0.01)

–0.004 (0.01)

0.04 (0.01)

0.07 (0.01)

–0.06 (0.02)

–0.02 (0.01)

0.002 (0.01)

Functional capability

–0.30–0.25–0.20–0.15–0.10–0.050.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

Sense of control

Cognitive function

Depressive symptoms

0.02 (0.01)

–0.03 (0.01)

–0.13 (0.01)

Mental well-being

–0.30–0.25–0.20–0.15–0.10–0.050.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

(s.e.)

β (s.e.)

β (s.e.)

β (s.e.)

Figure 9.2. What affects life- satisfaction over age 50? (ELSA) (cross- section) (β- coefficients)