The Association between Social Support and Happiness among Elderly in Iran

Abstract

BackgroundElderly people’s life is affected by multiple factors including social support, which is of the utmost importance. This study aimed to explore the association between social support and happiness as well as the impact of types of social support on happiness among elders.MethodsThis descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 411 elderly men and women referred to the retirement, cultural, and rehabilitation centers in Hamadan, west of Iran. Participants were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method. The research instrument included a questionnaire consisting of three parts: demographic information, the Oxford Argyle Happiness Inventory, and a Questionnaire derived from Social Support Theory. The questionnaire was completed through a self-report study. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple linear regression, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance in IBM SPSS Software ver. 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA).ResultsThe mean for happiness was reported as 41.17±15.2. The values given for social support were 29.40±11.95 and for its dimensions were 7.53±3.89 and 13.70±4.90 for informational support and emotional support, respectively. Moreover, the mean value for appraisal support was 3.48±2.37 and was 4.70±2.56 for instrumental support. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that social support and demographic variables could account for approximately 25% (R2 =0.25) of changes in the variable of happiness.ConclusionHigh social support could increase happiness among elders. The quality and quantity of social support can be taken into account as proper determinants and predictors of happiness among elders.

The effectiveness of an educational intervention to enhance happiness in Iranian older people: Applying social support theory

“…Family members always appear as the most important source of instrumental support (such as giving money, gifts, services), while such support is provided by a low number of friends. However, emotional support comes from both family members and friends . Family members take more social control compared to friends, and older adults need to expect social support from family members .…”

“…Based on the findings of the descriptive study, conducted before this study, wellness centres who had obtained lower mean scores from a happiness questionnaire in comparison with other centres were invited to participate in the present study. To offset the possibility of a relationship between intervention and control group participants, the samples were recruited from two separate wellness centres.…”

“…Montazeri et al reported that happiness in Iranians aged 18‐65 years is at a moderate level, in which a 1% decline for each year of age increase was obvious. In another investigation, happiness in older adults was reported to be at a moderate level …”

“…However, emotional support comes from both family members and friends. 7 Family members take more social control compared to friends, and older adults need to expect social support from family members. 27 Of course, it should not be forgotten that some people may negatively evaluate these types of support and refuse to accept the help and attention of others.…”

Levels and predictors of happiness in the south of the Islamic Republic of Iran

“…Several studies have measured the LoH and its determinant factors by the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) among different population groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran. A 2018 study among an elderly population estimated the mean LoH score at 41.17, and concluded that social support is one of the important predictors of happiness among elders (12). A 2015 population-based study among 30-50-year-olds in Tehran measured mean LoH at 47.26 (13).…”