The effects of changes in disability and limiting long-term illness on well-being among older UK people
METHODS: Data come from waves 1- 3 of Understanding Society: The UK Household Panel Study. Adults 65 years and older (n=7166) were included. SWB was measured using the GHQ-12 and life satisfaction. Limiting long-term illness (LLTI) and number of disabilities at each wave were the measures of disability. Change scores were created to model change in disability between waves. Linear regression model was used; effect of partner’s LLTI was also tested.
RESULTS: Onset of a LLTI and having a LLTI over all three was associated with poorer well-being. Loss of a LLTI or changes in LLTI status across waves was associated with increased anxiety but not in changes to life satisfaction. Participants who had an increase in the number of disabilities had significant declines in both GHQ (b=-0.56, 95% CI=-0.76, -0.36) and life satisfaction (b=-0.14, 95% CI =-0.22, -0.06). Onset or continuity of partner’s LLTI was associated with increased GHQ among men. Women experienced a decreased in anxiety with the loss of their partner’s LLTI (b= 0.68, 95% CI=0.04, 1.32). There were no effects of changes to partner’s LLTI status on life satisfaction; additionally changes to the number of partner’s disabilities did not have a significant effect on GHQ or life satisfaction
CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that onset and continuing LLTI have larger effects on SWB than variable changes and loss of LLTI status. Changes to partner’s LLTI status do have effects on own well-being, and these effects differ by gender.