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Quality of Life Research

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11-03-2022

Examining subjective well-being among older adults using pain medications

Authors: Irene Nsiah, Hyllore Imeri, John P. Bentley, Sujith Ramachandran

Published in: Quality of Life Research | Issue 9/2022

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the relationship between social participation and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults using pain medications and evaluate the impact of sex on this relationship.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using the 2019 National Health and Aging Trends Study data, a nationally-representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years and older. Individuals were included if they reported taking pain medications for five days or more per week over the last month. Social participation was operationalized using the sum score of four items: visiting family and friends, going out for enjoyment, attending religious services, and participation in other organized activities. SWB was operationalized as a latent variable using four items reflecting positive and negative emotions, and three items reflecting self-evaluation. Structural equation modeling was used to test the relationship between key study constructs, as well as the moderating effect of sex on the relationship between social participation and SWB.

Results

A total of 964 (weighted N = 7,660,599) participants were included in the study. Most participants were female (61.3%), White (81.0%), community-dwelling (94.9%) older adults. Confirmatory factor analysis showed appropriate fit for SWB. Social participation had a statistically significant association with SWB (unstandardized regression coefficient = 0.133; 95% CI 0.071, 0.196; p < 0.001) after adjusting for covariates. However, this relationship was not moderated by sex (p = 0.836).

Conclusion

Social participation is positively and significantly associated with SWB among older adults using pain medications. Interventions aimed at improving SWB should consider incorporating a social activities component.

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Title: Examining subjective well-being among older adults using pain medications
Authors: Irene Nsiah
Hyllore Imeri
John P. Bentley
Sujith Ramachandran
Publication date: 11-03-2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Published in: Quality of Life Research / Issue 9/2022
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-022-03116-z

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