Risk factors for a decrease in high morale in very old people over a 5-year period: data from two Nordic countries

• Main Authors: Marina Näsman, Johan Niklasson, Mikael Nygård, Birgitta Olofsson, Hugo Lövheim, Yngve Gustafson, Fredrica Nyqvist
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Subjects: Northern Sweden
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10433-019-00521-1

Abstract High morale could be considered to be an essential part of aging well and increased knowledge of how to prevent a decrease in high morale in very old age could have important implications for policy, and social and health care development. The objective was to identify social and health-related risk factors for a decrease in morale over 5 years in very old people among those with high morale at baseline. The study is based on data derived from the Umeå85+/GERDA study conducted in Northern Sweden and Western Finland. The final sample consisted of 174 individuals who were 85 years and older at baseline and who had completed the follow-up 5 years later. Morale was measured with The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale (PGCMS). A set of social and health-related variables were used to test which factors were associated with a decrease in morale over 5 years. Linear regression was used for the multivariable analyses. The sample had a mean change of − 1.3 (SD = 2.5) in PGCMS scores from T1 to T2. The results from the regression analyses showed that development of depressive disorders, increased feelings of loneliness and the death of a child during the follow-up period were associated with a decrease in morale. The results from our study indicate that preventing the development of depressive disorders and increasing loneliness are key factors in preventing a decrease in high morale. Additionally, very old people who have recently lost an adult child should receive adequate psychosocial support. Longitudinal studies, Aged 80 and over, Subjective well-being, Quality of life