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Published on: May 31, 2021
Health and subjective well-being: a replicated secondary data analysis
International Journal of Aging & Human Development
|January 1, 1984
Summary
Self-rated health shows a strong link to subjective well-being, unlike physician assessments. This health-well-being connection varies with age and is more pronounced for negative emotions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Gerontology
- Public Health
Background:
- Subjective well-being is a key component of overall health.
- Understanding the relationship between health and well-being is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Research synthesis methods are vital for consolidating evidence on complex health-related topics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between health and subjective well-being using replicated secondary data analysis.
- To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of replicated secondary data analysis as a research synthesis method.
Main Methods:
- Utilized replicated secondary data analysis across seven surveys, involving thirty-seven replications.
- Employed multivariate statistical techniques to analyze the associations between health indicators and subjective well-being.
- Investigated the moderating effects of age and affectivity on the health-well-being relationship.
Main Results:
- A moderate and robust association was found between self-rated health and subjective well-being.
- Physician-assessed health demonstrated weaker and less consistent links to subjective well-being.
- The health-well-being relationship was moderated by age and was stronger for negative affect compared to positive affect.
Conclusions:
- Self-rated health is a significant predictor of subjective well-being.
- Replicated secondary data analysis offers cost-effectiveness, advanced statistical capabilities, and investigator control for research synthesis.
- Different research synthesis methods are suited for distinct research purposes.
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