Dexing Zhang1, Dicken Cheong-Chun Chan1, Lu Niu2, Huiming Liu3, Dan Zou1, Aaroy Tsun-Yin Chan1, Tiffany Ting Gao1, Baoliang Zhong4, Regina Wing-Shan Sit1, Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong5. 1. School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), People's Republic of China. 2. School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), People's Republic of China; The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), People's Republic of China. 3. Shenzhen Kangning Hospital/Shenzhen Mental Health Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. 4. Affiliated Wuhan Mental Health Center/The Ninth Clinical School, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, People's Republic of China. 5. School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), People's Republic of China. Electronic address: yeungshanwong@cuhk.edu.hk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Meaning in life is not only a significant component of psychological well-being, but also a neglected issue with clinical importance that needs to be studied further, especially its association with health and healthcare utilization. OBJECTIVE: To study the level of meaning and its association with happiness, health and healthcare utilization among the elderly in Hong Kong. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey via telephone was conducted among 1000 elderly aged 60 years or above in Hong Kong. RESULTS: Higher level of meaning was associated with being quite/very happy, and better health status (better self-rated health status, less chronic illnesses, lower level of frailty, no limitation of activities) before and after adjustments. It was also associated with decreased likelihood of healthcare utilization (number of medications intake, hospitalization and Acute and Emergency (A&E) admission) before and after adjusted for socio-demographics. Path analysis showed that, the association of meaning with hospitalization, A&E admission and medication use was significantly mediated by health status among the elderly. LIMITATIONS: This cross-sectional study might not include all the potential associated factors and mediators. CONCLUSIONS: The sense of meaning is associated with happiness and may contribute to health and healthcare utilization among the Chinese elderly. Studies are needed to further look into the potential mechanisms. Meaning in life might be a promising interventional target for successful aging of the elderly.
BACKGROUND: Meaning in life is not only a significant component of psychological well-being, but also a neglected issue with clinical importance that needs to be studied further, especially its association with health and healthcare utilization. OBJECTIVE: To study the level of meaning and its association with happiness, health and healthcare utilization among the elderly in Hong Kong. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey via telephone was conducted among 1000 elderly aged 60 years or above in Hong Kong. RESULTS: Higher level of meaning was associated with being quite/very happy, and better health status (better self-rated health status, less chronic illnesses, lower level of frailty, no limitation of activities) before and after adjustments. It was also associated with decreased likelihood of healthcare utilization (number of medications intake, hospitalization and Acute and Emergency (A&E) admission) before and after adjusted for socio-demographics. Path analysis showed that, the association of meaning with hospitalization, A&E admission and medication use was significantly mediated by health status among the elderly. LIMITATIONS: This cross-sectional study might not include all the potential associated factors and mediators. CONCLUSIONS: The sense of meaning is associated with happiness and may contribute to health and healthcare utilization among the Chinese elderly. Studies are needed to further look into the potential mechanisms. Meaning in life might be a promising interventional target for successful aging of the elderly.
Authors: Zijun Xu; Xiaoyang Yu; Dexing Zhang; Xiaoxiang Zheng; Zihuang Zhang; Rym Chung-Man Lee; Peter Man-Hin Cheung; Samuel Yeung-Shan Wong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-05 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Dexing Zhang; Regina Wing Shan Sit; Carmen Wong; Dan Zou; Stewart W Mercer; Marjorie C Johnston; Samuel Yeung Shan Wong Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-02-20 Impact factor: 2.692