Unlocking Senior Happiness Globally: The Unexpected Influence of Pastimes
A recent investigation has uncovered a consistent international connection between senior citizens’ engagement in hobbies and their improved mental well-being. This study advocates for the implementation of policies that promote hobbies as a means to enhance life satisfaction and overall well-being among the elderly.
Engaging in a hobby has been correlated with a reduction in depressive symptoms, an increase in happiness, self-rated health, and life satisfaction in individuals aged 65 and above. Remarkably, this correlation holds true across 16 nations spanning three continents, according to a study led by researchers from UCL.
Published in the prestigious journal “Nature Medicine,” this study aimed to determine if the positive effects of hobbies remained constant across diverse cultural contexts. The research analyzed data from a staggering 93,263 seniors, aged 65 and older, who participated in five ongoing longitudinal studies conducted in England, Japan, the United States, China, and 12 European countries.
Upon analyzing data collected over a span of four to eight years, the researchers discovered that adopting a hobby was also associated with subsequent reductions in depressive symptoms and increases in happiness and life satisfaction. While this suggests a potential causal effect, it’s essential to note that this study was observational and couldn’t definitively establish causality.
Taking External Factors into Account
These findings persisted even after accounting for other factors such as marital status, employment, and household income.
Interestingly, the benefits of embracing a hobby appeared to be relatively consistent across nations, with only minor variations observed.
Dr. Karen Mak, the lead author from the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, commented, “Our study underscores the potential of hobbies to shield older individuals from the mental health challenges that often accompany aging. This potential is remarkably consistent across various countries and cultural settings.
“Among the four outcomes we examined, life satisfaction exhibited the strongest association with hobby engagement. Hobbies may contribute to enhanced life satisfaction in our later years through several mechanisms, including a sense of control over our minds and bodies, discovering a sense of purpose in life, and feeling competent in addressing daily challenges.
“Our research also provides support for policymakers in promoting access to hobbies among older individuals as a means to enhance their well-being and overall health.”
Disparities in Hobby Engagement Across Nations
Hobbies, defined as leisure activities pursued for pleasure, encompass a wide range of activities—from volunteering and club participation to reading, gardening, playing games, and engaging in arts and crafts.
The study revealed significant variations in the percentage of people who reported having a hobby across different countries. For instance, 51% of study participants in Spain reported having a hobby, while a striking 96% in Denmark, 95.8% in Sweden, and 94.4% in Switzerland engaged in hobbies.
China exhibited the lowest level of hobby engagement, at 37.6%. However, it’s important to note that respondents in China were specifically asked about social hobbies, not hobbies in general.
In countries with higher life expectancies and national happiness levels, a larger percentage of the population reported having a hobby. Additionally, the link between well-being and hobby engagement appeared to be stronger in these countries.
Citation: “Hobby engagement and mental wellbeing among people aged 65 years and older in 16 countries” by Hei Wan Mak, Taiji Noguchi, Jessica K. Bone, Jacques Wels, Qian Gao, Katsunori Kondo, Tami Saito, and Daisy Fancourt, published on September 11, 2023, in “Nature Medicine.”
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02506-1
The five longitudinal studies involved in this research were: the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES), US Health and Retirement Study (HRS), Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). In ELSA, JAGES, and HRS, participants were asked about hobbies without a specific definition, while in SHARE and CHARLS, participants were asked if they engaged in a predefined list of hobbies.
This study received support from Wellcome, National Endowment for the Arts, Belgian National Scientific Fund, and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Senior Happiness
What is the main finding of the study?
The study reveals a strong connection between engaging in hobbies and improved mental well-being and life satisfaction among seniors aged 65 and above across 16 countries.
How many seniors were involved in the study, and where was the research conducted?
Data from 93,263 seniors were analyzed in this study. The research spanned 16 nations, including England, Japan, the United States, China, and 12 European countries.
Were external factors considered when assessing the impact of hobbies on well-being?
Yes, external factors such as marital status, employment, and household income were taken into account when evaluating the relationship between hobbies and well-being. The positive effects of hobbies on mental health persisted even after adjusting for these factors.
Can this study conclusively prove that hobbies directly cause improved well-being in seniors?
No, this study is observational and cannot definitively establish causality. While there is a strong correlation between hobbies and enhanced mental well-being, further research is needed to determine causation.
What types of activities were considered as hobbies in the study?
Hobbies in this study were broadly defined as leisure activities pursued for pleasure. This encompassed a wide range of activities, including volunteering, club participation, reading, gardening, playing games, and engaging in arts and crafts.
Were there significant differences in hobby engagement between countries?
Yes, there were variations in the percentage of seniors reporting engagement in hobbies across different countries. For example, Denmark had the highest level of hobby engagement at 96%, while China had the lowest at 37.6%. However, these differences were attributed to various cultural and social factors.
What are the implications of this study for policymakers and senior well-being?
The study suggests that promoting access to hobbies among older individuals can enhance their well-being and overall health. It provides valuable insights for policymakers in developing strategies to support seniors’ mental health and life satisfaction through hobby engagement.
More about Senior Happiness
- Nature Medicine Article
- UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care
- English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
- Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES)
- US Health and Retirement Study (HRS)
- Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)
- China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS)
- Wellcome
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Belgian National Scientific Fund
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
5 comments
So, like, hobbies are good for seniors, right? That’s cool, but why so many numbers and studies?
Hobbies = Happy seniors. Got it! But, can someone explain why China had fewer hobbies? That’s a puzzle.
Great article! But they should’ve used more commas, and maybe shorter sentences? It’s a bit of a marathon to read.
This study sounds like a no-brainer. Everyone knows hobbies are fun. Why did they need 93,263 seniors to tell us?
Interesting stuff, but can’t they just say hobbies make old folks happy? Too many big words!