Zest for life among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in Northern Finland and Sweden – a cross‐sectional study

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
• Main Authors: Glasberg, Ann‐Louise, Pellfolk, Tony, Fagerström, Lisbeth
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2013
• Subjects: Northern Finland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/scs.12062; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1111%2Fscs.12062; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/scs.12062

Background Zest for life refers to being satisfied with life and having the energy and courage to look for new experiences. Research into zest for life among older people is scarce, even though it is an important topic. Similarly related concepts such as life satisfaction, quality of life and purpose in life have received more attention. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate zest for life and factors and variables associated with zest for life among 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds. Method A descriptive cross‐sectional design was used, employing data from a cross‐sectional survey in Northern F inland and S weden with a total of 3372 respondents. Sociodemographic data were gathered: social contacts; helping relatives; activities; involvement in society; health; use of social services; economic situation; ageism; crises in life; and well‐being. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine independent factors associated with zest for life. Results A total of 2854 respondents (nearly 85%) reported having zest for life, with only 47 (1.4%) having no zest for life. Several factors were significantly associated with zest for life. Using logistic regression analysis, the following factors were found to be determinants of zest for life: no diseases ( OR = 9.1), general health ( OR = 6.1), not discriminated against due to age ( OR = 5.4), no crises in life last year ( OR = 7.0), experienced depression never/seldom ( OR = 88.4) and experienced meaning in life ( OR = 10.4). Conclusions In general, 65‐ and 75‐year‐olds in F inland and S weden have a zest for life. Even though the study sample shows that only a small number of respondents have no zest for life, zest for life is a concept worth investigating in that there exists a strong association between no zest for life and depression. Physical and psychological health and well‐being are important determinates of zest for life and, seemingly, a determinate for successful ageing.