Wei Zhang1, Kathryn L Braun2, Yan Yan Wu3. 1. Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 2424 Maile Way, Saunders Hall 239, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA. 2. Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed D-209, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA. 3. Office of Public Health Studies, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 1960 East-West Road, Biomed D-209, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA. Electronic address: yywu@hawaii.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine variations in life satisfaction by education, gender, and race/ethnicity over a period of eight years among middle-aged and older Americans. METHODS: Mixed-effects models were used to analyze five waves (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014) of longitudinal data from 16,163 participants born 1890-1953 in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. RESULTS: Life satisfaction was higher in older adults, and the Great Recession had great impact on life satisfaction. Crossover interactions were found by gender, education, and race/ethnicity. Higher education was associated with higher life satisfaction for both genders, with stronger effects for females. Hispanics had the higher level of life satisfaction than non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans. DISCUSSION: Longitudinal evidence revealed disparities in life satisfaction. The racial/ethnic differences in the impact of education suggest that the economic and health returns of education vary by social group. Researchers should continue to examine reasons for these disparities.
OBJECTIVE: To examine variations in life satisfaction by education, gender, and race/ethnicity over a period of eight years among middle-aged and older Americans. METHODS: Mixed-effects models were used to analyze five waves (2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014) of longitudinal data from 16,163 participants born 1890-1953 in the U.S. Health and Retirement Study. RESULTS: Life satisfaction was higher in older adults, and the Great Recession had great impact on life satisfaction. Crossover interactions were found by gender, education, and race/ethnicity. Higher education was associated with higher life satisfaction for both genders, with stronger effects for females. Hispanics had the higher level of life satisfaction than non-Hispanic Whites and African Americans. DISCUSSION: Longitudinal evidence revealed disparities in life satisfaction. The racial/ethnic differences in the impact of education suggest that the economic and health returns of education vary by social group. Researchers should continue to examine reasons for these disparities.
Authors: Amanda Sonnega; Jessica D Faul; Mary Beth Ofstedal; Kenneth M Langa; John W R Phillips; David R Weir Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2014-03-25 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Mary F Wyman; Carol A Van Hulle; Emre Umucu; Sydnee Livingston; Nickolas H Lambrou; Fabu P Carter; Sterling C Johnson; Sanjay Asthana; Carey E Gleason; Megan Zuelsdorff Journal: Front Hum Neurosci Date: 2022-07-29 Impact factor: 3.473