[Application of visual analogue scale of happiness to elderly Himalayan highlanders]

Visual analogue scale of happiness (VAS-H) was applied to elderly Himalayan highlanders to investigate the influence of life-style and socio-cultural background on subjective happiness. The score of "VAS-H" and neuropsychological function tests in 733 Himalayan highlanders who belonged to 5 separate villages were compared with those in 313 Japanese elderly subjects. The places of study consisted of 4 villages (Khalimabad; K, Gulmit; G, Pasu; P, Shimshal; S) in Hunza area in Pakistan, and Namche Bazar; N in Nepal. Degree of modern civilization was highest in K, followed by N, G, P and lowest was that in S by historical and sociological aspects. The mean VAS-H sore in Himalayan highlanders and the degree of modern civilization in the area was in inverse proportion. Himalayan elderly women showed a significant lower score on VAS-H compared with elderly Himalayan men or elderly Japanese subjects. The VAS-H score in the Japanese elderly correlated significantly with the stability of posture and walk, and that of Himalayan highlanders correlated significantly with manual skill. In conclusion, the life style or socio-cultural background strongly affected subjective happiness in the elderly. The VAS-H was useful in comparing subjective happiness in different cultures.