A Comparative Analysis of Psychosocial Determinants of Self-rated Wellbeing for Elderly Citizens and Young Adults: Factor Differentials

Abstract

Introduction: The literature on social determinants of health has never been disaggregated by age cohort differentials, young adults and aged people. Objective: The aims of this research are to build separate age cohort self-rated well-being models, examine the contribution of each factor to the different age cohort models and determine the factor differentials between the two age cohort models. Method: The current study uses secondary stratified probability cross-sectional national data collected by two reputable Statistical Organizations in Jamaica between June and October 2002. The population for this study is 9,525 Jamaicans: 6,516 young adults and 3,009 elderly. Multiple regressions are used to determine factors for each age cohort model, after which stepwise multiple regression is used to examine the contribution of each factor to the respective parsimonious models. Findings: Generally, at least 80% of the variability in self-rated well-being in each model can be explained by particular predisposed psychosocial factors. Money is the single largest determinant of well-being in this study, contributing 49% to the aged model and 45% to the young adult model. In the aged model, loneliness played a significant role, contributing 7%; but it plays a minor role in the young adult model. This was also the case for household crowding, negative and positive affective psychological conditions. In both the young adult and the elderly wellbeing models, people who dwell in rural areas have the least self-rated well-being. Conclusion: The findings provide pertinent information for policy direction as well as the interpretation of social determinants of health.