Abstract

Background: Investigating happiness among older adults is critical for enhancing quality of life among this growing segment of the population. Based on the stress, appraisal, and coping model, the present study examined how daily stressors and coping resources (optimism and social support) are related to happiness among older adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Israel between February–July 2018. Participants were recruited through Internet forums and through direct contact with participants at meeting places for older adults. A convenience sample of 114 older adults completed measures of daily stressors, optimism, social support, happiness, and socio-demographic questionnaires. A hierarchical multiple regression was calculated with happiness as the dependent variable.

Results: Happiness score was relatively moderate (Mean = 4.26, SD = 0.72, Range 1–7). In the regression model, after controlling for demographic variables, optimism and social support explained 58% of the variance in happiness. Optimism and social support also mediated the relationship between daily stressors and happiness. However, these two coping resources did not moderate the relationship between daily stressors and happiness.

Conclusion: The study's findings indicate that improving happiness should be identified as a target for older adults and should be recognized as a crucial need. Our findings suggest that psychosocial interventions targeting coping resources may help older adults improve their happiness. In particular, these interventions should concentrate on helping older adults reinforce their optimism and social support.