Socio-economic position and subjective health and well-being among older people in Europe: a systematic narrative review

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies of older European populations have established that disability and morbidity vary with indicators of socio-economic position (SEP). We undertook a systematic narrative review of the literature to ascertain to what extent there is evidence of similar inequalities in the subjective health and well-being of older people in Europe. Method: Relevant original research articles were searched for using Medline, Global Health, Embase, Social Policy and Practice, Cinahl, Web of Science and International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS). We included studies of SEP and indicators of subjective health and well-being (self-rated health; life satisfaction; quality of life) conducted since 1991 using population-based samples of older people in Europe and published 1995–2013. Results: A total of 71 studies were identified. Poorer SEP was associated with poorer subjective health and well-being. Associations varied somewhat depending on the SEP measure and subjective health and well-being outcome used. Associations were weaker when social support and health-related behaviours were adjusted for suggesting that these factors mediate the relationship between SEP and subjective health and well-being. Associations tended to be weaker in the oldest age groups. The patterns of associations by gender were not consistent and tended to diminish after adjusting for indicators of health and life circumstances. Conclusion: The results of this systematic narrative review of the literature demonstrate the importance of social influences on later life subjective health and well-being and indicate areas which need further investigation, such as more studies from Eastern Europe, more longitudinal studies and more research on the role of mediating factors.

Coresidence with a child and happiness among older widows in Europe: Does gender of the child matter?

“…As already noted, health, socioeconomic status, and social support (particularly reciprocated social support) have been identified in previous studies as predominant influences on older people's subjective well-being (Bishop et al, 2006;Read, Grundy, & Foverskov, 2016).…”

“…As already noted, health, socioeconomic status, and social support (particularly reciprocated social support) have been identified in previous studies as predominant influences on older people's subjective well‐being (Bishop et al, 2006; Read, Grundy, & Foverskov, 2016). Women appear to have slightly worse subjective well‐being than men (and a higher prevalence of depression), even after controlling for gender differences in widowhood, health, and socioeconomic status (Pinquart & Sorenson, 2001).…”

Gesundheitliche Ungleichheit im höheren Lebensalter

“…Erst in den letzten Jahren, in dem Maße wie lebensphasen-und lebensverlaufsbe-zogene Betrachtungen der gesundheitlichen Ungleichheit an Bedeutung gewonnen haben, ist eine stärkere Forschungstä-tigkeit zu beobachten. Dies gilt vor allem für die Vereinigten Staaten, Großbritannien und die skandinavischen Länder, in denen die Sozialepidemiologie schon länger etabliert ist (Huisman et al 2013, Shaw et al 2014, Fors, Thorslund 2015, Read et al 2016. Aber auch in Deutschland liegen mittlerweile mehrere Studien vor, die sich mit der gesundheitlichen Ungleichheit im höheren Lebensalter beschäftigt haben (von dem Knesebeck et al 2003, von dem Knesebeck, Vonneilich 2009, Kümpers 2012, Kruse, Schmitt 2016.…”

“…Auch in der subjektiven Gesundheit zeichnen sich im höheren Lebensalter deutliche Unterschiede zuungunsten sozial benachteiligter Bevölkerungsgruppen ab (Read et al 2016). In einer systematischen Literaturübersicht, in die 71 europäische Studien einflossen, die im Zeitraum von 1995 bis 2013 publiziert wurden, zeigen Read und Kollegen, dass zwischen Indikatoren der sozialen Lage, z.…”

“…Bezüglich der Veränderung im Altersgang gelangen die Autoren zu der Einschätzung, dass sich die sozialen Unterschiede in der subjektiven Gesundheit mit zunehmendem Alter etwas abschwächen (Read et al 2016). Einzelne Studien legen allerdings eine andere Schlussfolgerung nahe.…”