Subjective and psychological well-being among elderly participants of a University of the Third Age

Abstract Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the distribution of measures of subjective and psychological well-being according to demographic criteria and length of participation in the program. Method: A cross sectional study using the following instruments was carried out: a sociodemographic questionnaire (age, gender, education, length of participation in University of the Third Age (U3A) and similar programs located in the city of São Paulo, Brazil; an Overall Life Satisfaction Scale; a Life Satisfaction Scale that contemplated four domains: health, physical capacity, mental capacity and social involvement; a Positive/Negative Affect Scale; and a Personal Development Scale. The data were analyzed by the chi-squared test (for comparison of categorical variables), the Mann-Whitney and the Kruskal-Wallis U tests (for comparison of continuous variables). Results: Age and gender were the main factors that were significantly associated with overall life satisfaction, life satisfaction in specific domains, and morale. Higher education was associated with psychological adjustment. Conclusion: Participating in a U3A contributes to high levels of subjective and psychological well-being. Elderly individuals of more advanced ages and men had higher rates of satisfaction with life and positive feelings. The elderly can assess their development trajectory, their commitment to society and consider their efforts in pursuing an ideal of personal excellence.

摘要 研究目标：本研究旨在基于人口统计学特征与项目参与时长，分析主观幸福感与心理幸福感各指标的分布情况。
研究方法：本研究采用横断面研究设计，使用以下工具开展调研：社会人口学问卷（收集年龄、性别、受教育程度、参与巴西圣保罗市老年大学（University of the Third Age, U3A）及该市同类项目的时长）、总体生活满意度量表、涵盖健康、身体机能、心理机能与社会参与四个维度的生活满意度量表、正负性情感量表（Positive/Negative Affect Scale）以及个人发展量表（Personal Development Scale）。数据分析采用卡方检验（chi-squared test，用于分类变量比较）、曼-惠特尼U检验与克鲁斯卡尔-沃利斯U检验（用于连续变量比较）。
研究结果：年龄与性别是与总体生活满意度、特定领域生活满意度及情绪状态显著相关的主要因素；更高的受教育水平与良好的心理调适水平相关。
研究结论：参与老年大学（U3A）项目有助于提升个体的主观幸福感与心理幸福感水平。高龄老年群体与男性群体的生活满意度及积极情感体验更高。老年人能够对自身发展轨迹、社会参与承诺进行评估，并反思自身为追求个人卓越理想所付出的努力。