title: Visual impairment, but not hearing impairment, is independently associated with lower subjective well-being among individuals over 95 years of age: A population-based study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensory impairment affects an increasing number of elderly adults, with a negative psychological impact. Our objective was to examine the associations of visual and hearing impairment with subjective well-being (SWB), an important psychological concept defined by life satisfaction [LS], positive affect [PA], negative affect [NA], and affect balance [AB] among long-lived individuals (LLIs) over 95 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on 442 LLIs from the Rugao longevity cohort, a population-based study in Rugao, China, were analyzed. Graded classifications of visual and hearing impairment (none, mild, moderate, and severe) were constructed from self-reported items. Bivariate correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed to test the associations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 66.1% and 87.3% of the subjects reported varying degrees of visual and hearing impairment. Following the degree of vision impairment, LS, PA, and AB decreased linearly, whereas NA increased linearly (all p for trend<0.05). Vision was significantly related to LS (r=0.238, p<0.001), PA (r=0.142, p<0.01), NA (r=-0.157, p<0.001), and AB (r=0.206, p<0.001). After adjustment for multiple variables including functional ability, an important factor of SWB, the associations of vision impairment with LS, NA, and AB, while diminished, still existed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Visual impairment, but not hearing impairment, was independently associated with low SWB among LLIs, and functional ability may play a mediating role in the observed relationship. The findings indicate that rehabilitation targeted for those with reduced vision and functioning in long-lived populations may be important for promoting well-being and quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Unit of epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zuyun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Unit of epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China; Dean's Office, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200025 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Di
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Unit of epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jiapin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Longevity Research Institute of Rugao, 226500 Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Degui
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Longevity Research Institute of Rugao, 226500 Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Longevity Research Institute of Rugao, 226500 Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Unit of epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Shilin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Unit of epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Unit of epidemiology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering and MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, School of Life Sciences and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, 200433 Shanghai, China. Electronic address: xiaofengwang71@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiaofeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011788:Quality of Life; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Hearing impairment; Long-lived individuals; Subjective well-being; Visual impairment