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ObjectivesThe population of Estonia has one of the lowest life expectancies and health statuses in Europe. This is reflected in a lower perception of health among older adults. This study focuses on the role of health behaviour (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and nutrition) in self-rated health, accounting for sociodemographic characteristics, activity limitations and long-term illnesses as well as satisfaction with life of older Estonian men and women.DesignWe use representative cross-sectional data from Wave 4 of the Estonian Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, conducted mainly in 2011.ParticipantsFrequencies, χ2 tests and logistic regression models include respondents aged 50 years and older, with no upper age limit (n=6660).ResultsMen have 20% higher odds (CI 1.02 to 1.43) of poor self-rated health. Being of foreign origin (OR 1.48; CI 1.24 to 1.77), having a basic (2.50; CI 2.06 to 3.00) or secondary (1.71; CI 1.43 to 2.04) education, being retired (2.00; CI 1.65 to 2.44) or staying at home (1.49; CI 1.16 to 1.93) and having activity limitations (3.25; CI 2.77 to 3.80) or long-term illnesses (4.78; CI 4.08 to 5.60) are related to poor self-rated health. Never being involved in vigorous (2.30; CI 1.90 to 2.79) or moderate physical activity (1.41; CI 1.02 to 1.94), and consuming legumes and eggs less frequently (1.25; CI 1.08 to 1.45) is associated with poorer self-rated health. Lower satisfaction with life accounts for some of the variation (2.28; CI 1.92 to 2.71).ConclusionsThere is a strong cumulative effect of one’s previous life course on the self-rated health of older adults in Estonia, suggesting that public health policies have long-term consequences rather than immediate consequences. Health services supporting health behaviours and targeting vulnerable population groups with specific sociodemographic characteristics and health problems may influence self-rated health for some. Public health services emphasising social activities or psychological aspects may be most successful in improving self-rated health of older Estonians through satisfaction with life.

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In this article we investigate fertility intentions of Russian women in Estonia from an origin-destination perspective. Russian migrants to Estonia and their descendants are compared with women in the sending and host countries in order to identify similarities and differences in intended transitions to first, second and third births. The study is based on the Estonian and Russian Generations and Gender Surveys, which were conducted in 2004/2005, and employs logistic regression models. The dependent variables are intentions to become a mother, to have a second child, or to have a third child. The hypotheses for the study are mainly derived from the adaptation, cultural maintenance, and selection (characteristics) perspectives. We also incorporate attitudes towards gender roles into the models, which have proven to be a salient factor in shaping childbearing intentions, but have seldom been considered in studies of migrant fertility.Our results lend support to both the adaptation and cultural maintenance perspectives. In accord with the latter, the similarity between the childbearing intentions of Russian migrants and their descendants in Estonia and those of their counterparts in Russia suggests that socialisation to the ethnic subculture has prevailed over the influence of the host society. We attribute this outcome to contextual features that have retarded integration processes. By contrast, we observe that proficiency in the host country language, residence in areas where the host population constitutes a large majority and having a native partner significantly contribute to the adaptation of migrants’ intentions to have another child to those of the host population. These results provide support to the adaptation argument. Finally, our study reveals a positive association between egalitarian views on gender roles and women’s intentions to have another child. However, variation in gender role attitudes accounts for a relatively minor part of the difference in intended fertility between the groups addressed in this study.* This article belongs to a special issue on migrant fertility.

Objective: Relatively scant research among older Estonian population describes factors associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms. This study identifies factors associated with the incidence of depressiveness among middle-aged and older Estonians over 2- and 4-year periods. Method: In this cross-sectional analysis, logistic regression models are used to identify the factors associated with the incidence of depressiveness over 2- and 4-year periods. The data were drawn from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) 2011–2015 which included Estonian population aged 53 years and older in 2013. After excluding those younger than 53 years, not interviewed 2 years later, those with depressive symptoms at baseline in 2013, and missing values for depressiveness or other variables, our analytical sample comprised 2513 people. Results: Among those who were not depressive in 2013, 21.9% became depressive within 2 years; 16.1% of non-depressive individuals since 2011 became depressive by 2015. No age differences in incidence remained in adjusted models. Women have almost 50% higher odds of becoming depressive. A previous history of depressiveness and the presence of everyday activity limitations were important factors increasing the incidence of depression. Discussion: Changes related to the individual’s unique ageing experience are important explanatory factors related to the likelihood of developing depressive symptoms, rather than age itself. To diminish the incidence of depressive symptoms among older Estonian population, public health interventions should attempt to address factors which complicate existing health problems and facilitate continued independence and community involvement, both of which contribute to overall satisfaction with life.