title: Economic strain and well-being in late life: findings from an 18-year population-based Longitudinal Study of older Taiwanese adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study estimates the concurrent and longitudinal effects of perceived economic strain and socioeconomic status (SES) on well-being of older adults in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study uses data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging, a nationally representative sample (n= 3602) of older adults aged 60 and above. Participants were interviewed and followed for 18 years. Individual well-being is measured by self-reported life satisfaction, psychological distress and perceived health status. Generalized linear modeling with the generalized estimating equation estimates is used to predict the relationships between perceived economic strain, SES and well-being cross-sectionally and longitudinally, controlling for individual background characteristics, physical health and survival status.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older adults who experienced economic strain had significantly poorer well-being in comparison to older adults without strain, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, controlling for SES and other covariates. In contrast, SES indicators did not consistently predict well-being in the cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest a strong, cumulative, negative effect of perceived economic strain on well-being among older adults. Health-care initiatives aiming at promoting well-being among older adults should consider the impact of economic strain, which may increase at the end of the life course and threaten health and functioning.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, College of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 155, Sec. 2, Li-Nong Street, 112, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. cchiao@ym.edu.tw
authors.forename: Chi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chiao
authors.forename: Li-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Botticello
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D013624:Taiwan