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Emotional and physical-related experiences as potential mechanisms linking physical inactivity and happiness in old age: Evidence from the Ghana Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Emotional and physical-related experiences as potential mechanisms linking physical inactivity and happiness in old age: Evidence from the Ghana Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study

Razak M. Gyasi, Burnett Tetteh Accam, David Forkuor, Charles Ofosu Marfo, Yvonne Ami Adjakloe, Kabila Abass, Agornyo Donne, Mary Sefa Boampong and Anokye M. Adam
Archives of psychiatric nursing
03/01/2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2022.12.023
PMID: 36842821

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Abstract

Physical activity Social isolation Pain Happiness Sleep problems Loneliness
This study examines the association between physical inactivity (PI) and happiness among Ghanaian older adults and whether emotional and physical-related experiences (EPE) mediate the association. Data from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being and Health-seeking Behavior Study (AgeHeaPsyWel–HeaSeeB) conducted in 2016–2017 among 1201 older Ghanaians were analyzed. Happiness was assessed with the self-rated and cross-culturally validated item on a 5-point scale. PI was evaluated with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Hierarchical linear regressions and mediation analyses were performed to estimate the hypothesized associations. Results showed that PI was significantly associated with lower levels of happiness (β = −0.053, p < .001) net of potential confounders. The association of PI with happiness was attenuated and fully mediated by pain, sleep problems, loneliness, anxiety, and boredom. Moreover, PI moderated the happiness-pain (β = −0.029, p < .005), happiness-social isolation (β = −0.024, p < .05), and happiness-boredom (β = −0.023, p < .005) associations. Our data suggest that EPE may explain why PI decreases happiness in old age. Findings provide valuable insight into the interventions and decisions to improve subjective well-being and quality of life in old age.

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