title: Health, coping and subjective well-being: results of a longitudinal study of elderly Israelis.
abstract: The aim of this study was to test a conceptual model designed to promote the understanding of factors influencing subjective well-being (SWB) in old age. Within this framework, we evaluated the relative influences on elderly Israelis' SWB of health and/or function, personal resources, coping behaviors (reactive and proactive), and changes in all of these factors over time.
  
  
  
  At baseline, 1216 randomly selected elderly persons (75+) were interviewed at home (T1) and 1019 one year later (T2). The conceptual model was evaluated by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis using AMOS 18.
  
  
  
  After one year, a relatively high percentage of participants reported decline in health/function (DHF) and in personal resources. The effects of the study variables on T2-SWB were evaluated by a SEM analysis, resulting in a satisfying fit: χ2= 279.5 (df = 102), p < .001, CFI = .970, NFI = .954, TLI = .955, RMSEA = .046. In addition to significant direct effects of health/function on T2-SWB, health/function was found to indirectly influence T2-SWB. Our analysis showed that health/function had a negative influence on the positive effects of personal resources (function self-efficacy, social support) and the diverse effects of the coping patterns (goal-reengagement - positive; expectations for future care needs - negative; having concrete plans for future care - positive).
  
  
  
  Personal resources and use of appropriate coping behaviors enable elderly people to control their well-being even in the presence of DHF. Evidence-based interventions can help older people to acquire and/or strengthen effective personal resources and coping patterns, thus, promoting their SWB.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Public Health, Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer-Sheva , Israel.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carmel
authors.affiliation: b Psychosocial Research Unit on Health, Aging and the Community , New York University College of Dentistry and Nursing , New York , NY , USA.
authors.forename: Victoria H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Raveis
authors.affiliation: c Department of Gerontology , Simon Fraser University , Vancouver , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Norm
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.affiliation: c Department of Gerontology , Simon Fraser University , Vancouver , BC , Canada.
authors.forename: Hava
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tovel
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Subjective well-being; health; personal resources; proactive coping; reactive coping