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BACKGROUND: The study aimed to identify the associations of happiness and factors related to physical and mental health, leisure, and sports activities amongst older adults in Abu Dhabi. The sample comprised 1,004 participants in the third Abu Dhabi Quality of Life survey administered in 2019-2020. METHODS: The analysis used path analysis to develop a model incorporating the specified variables. The path model highlighted all direct and indirect associations between the variables. We also used variance analysis to test the differences in gender, marital status, and education attainment with happiness. RESULTS: Results show that sleep quality is most associated with happiness and subjective health. In addition, sleeping hours did not show any association with subjective health; but were associated with happiness. The result also confirms that mental health is negatively associated with happiness and subjective health. How often an elderly gets involved in sport and activities for at least 30 min significantly affects subjective health and happiness. CONCLUSIONS: Happiness of older adults is best understood when we look at both direct and indirect effects using a path model. Their happiness is significantly associated with their subjective health, mental health, participation in sport and activities and sleep quality, Implications of the study were highlighted, along with future research directions.
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Felicidad , Calidad de Vida , Anciano , Humanos , Emiratos Árabes Unidos , Sueño , Ejercicio FísicoRESUMEN
The topic of retirement is rarely explored in the context of the Middle Eastern and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This study drew on data from a large-scale survey of retirees in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a universal welfare state characterized by the persistence of the traditional male-breadwinner model and gender roles, to analyze the determinants of retirement timing and post-retirement work. Multi-level regressions were performed to explore the effects of individual, family, institutional, and social-economic factors. The study revealed that Emirati females tended to retire earlier than men to fulfill their domestic duties and informal caregiving roles, rather than to retire together with their spouse. Additionally, early retirement incentives offered by Abu Dhabi pension systems appeared to attract employees into early retirement. On the other hand, securing more financial resources and reduced sense of belonging in society were among the most significant predictors of post-retirement job searching motivations among Emirati retirees.
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Pensiones , Jubilación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Emiratos Árabes Unidos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , MotivaciónRESUMEN
This paper examines the relationships between a range of well-being factors and two commonly used subjective well-being measures-happiness and life satisfaction. Data from the second cycle of the Quality of Life (QoL) Survey in Abu Dhabi were used, which included 32,087 working adults. The well-being factors included in the analysis covered various aspects of life themes: income and jobs, work-home balance, health and physical activities, social and community services, living environment, and family/friends' relationships and connections. Using standardized data, path analysis yielded an optimal path model that suggested the presence of a reciprocal relationship between happiness and life satisfaction. In addition, the final model suggested that four variables-job satisfaction, mental health, satisfaction with relationships with people, and the size of the social support network-had direct effects on happiness and life satisfaction. The model also identified three variables-satisfaction with family life, mental health, and job satisfaction-to have the most significant effect on happiness.
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Felicidad , Calidad de Vida , Adulto , Humanos , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Satisfacción Personal , Calidad de Vida/psicología , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Emiratos Árabes UnidosRESUMEN
This study focused on older adults (60+ years old) of both genders in Abu Dhabi during the COVID-19 pandemic before vaccines were made available (age ranged from 60 years to 75 years). They faced more strict rules of movement restriction and isolation that might have resulted in certain psychological feelings and social reactions. The main objective was to understand Abu Dhabi older adults' psychological feelings during the pandemic and to identify their main concerns and challenges considering the various COVID-19-related policies and restrictions. The psychological feelings focused on fear, loneliness, sadness, irritability, emotional exhaustion, depressive symptoms, sleeping disorders, overeating, and excessive screen use. The objectives also included the changes in the psychological feelings concerning time. Other objectives covered better understanding the differences in (some activities) compared to the other age categories. Data were gathered through an online survey of community members from February to July 2020 as part of government initiatives (Department of Community Development). Responses were collected from 574 older adults in Abu Dhabi (60.1% male and 39.9% female). The analysis mainly used descriptive analysis, t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and simple trend analysis. For all tests, a p-value less than 0.05 was used for significance. The results pointed to the significant rise in feelings related to excessive screen use, fear, loneliness, and stress. The most significant concerns were related to more restrictions being imposed and not being able to see the grandchildren.The impact of new technologies on their quality of life was significantly reflected by respondents. The influence of the pandemic on older adults' health and weight was also investigated. Analysis of variance, t-tests, and regression analysis with relevant tests were employed. The relevant results showed that some negative psychological feelings were common among older adults during the pandemic. However, the psychological feelings did not portray significant changes with time, except for sleeping disorders and overeating. Overall, older adults scored significantly different from other age groups on many challenges, concerns, and views regarding new technologies during the pandemic. No significant differences were observed regarding gender and marital status for the challenges and concerns. The research summarizes some policy guidance while noting some limitations of this study and future research directions.
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COVID-19 , Pandemias , Anciano , Control de Enfermedades Transmisibles , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Calidad de Vida , SARS-CoV-2 , Emiratos Árabes UnidosRESUMEN
This study investigates the wellbeing factors related to self-rated health for older adults in Abu Dhabi (≥55 years). The purpose is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the determinants of self-rated health, considering various wellbeing factors, controlling for factors such as gender, nationality and long-standing illness if present. This research drew from a sample of 2375 older adults who participated in the Abu Dhabi Quality-of-Life Survey (QoL) conducted in 2018. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was employed where the first two models corresponded to gender, nationality and having a long-standing illness or not. The third model focused on the wellbeing factors of Abu Dhabi citizens (i.e., social networks and connection, income and housing, sports and activities, mental feelings). The analysis revealed the insignificance of gender and nationality as controlled variables while having a long-standing illness showed significant adverse effects. The most significant variables were social support networks, family and social arrangements and connections. Other variables of significance included housing satisfaction, household income satisfaction, frequency of practicing sports, current mental status and life satisfaction. Policymakers could use the outcomes as insider intelligence for policymakers and social work professionals to create policies, programs and services to enhance the lives of older people in Abu Dhabi.
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Calidad de Vida , Apoyo Social , Anciano , Humanos , Emiratos Árabes UnidosRESUMEN
Understanding the interactions between happiness, self-perception of health, healthy eating behaviors, physical activities, and psychological feelings or symptoms of mental health provides necessary inputs for social policymaking. Using data from the second cycle of the Abu Dhabi Quality of Life survey, this study examined a path analysis of Abu Dhabi residents' nature of assimilations between these variables. The results point to the significant association between happiness and self-rated health. In addition, the results portray significant direct paths to happiness from three mental feeling variables-"feeling calm and peaceful", "having lots of energy", and "feeling downhearted and depressed". The variable of "often feeling rushed or pressed for time" shows a direct path to self-rated health only. Eating healthy food is significantly associated with both happiness and self-perception of health. In addition, "often doing physical activities" positively influences happiness. The present study enhances and refines policymakers' understanding of the considered factors on happiness and self-rated health with further elaborations of the mediating roles of specific well-being determinants. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
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Dieta Saludable/métodos , Ejercicio Físico , Conducta Alimentaria , Felicidad , Salud Mental , Autoimagen , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Emociones , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Teóricos , Políticas , Calidad de Vida , Deportes , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Emiratos Árabes Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to present a comprehensive structural equation based service quality and patient satisfaction model taking into account the patient's condition before and after discharge. The authors aim to test for causality in a sample of patients from United Arab Emirates public hospitals. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Data were collected using questionnaires completed by adults discharged (n = 244) from UAE public hospitals. The proposed model consists of five main constructs. Three represent service quality: quality of care (four variables); process and administration (four variables) and information (four variables). There is also one construct that represents patient's status (two variables--health status before admission and after discharge). Finally, there is one construct that represents patient's satisfaction with care (two variables--general and relative satisfaction). Structural equation modeling and LISREL using maximum likelihood estimation was used to test hypothesized model(s)/parameters(s) derived deductively from the literature. FINDINGS: The structural equation modeling representation provides a comprehensive picture that allows healthcare constructs and patient satisfaction causality to be tested. The goodness-of-fit statistics supported the healthcare quality-patient status-satisfaction model. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The model has been found to capture attributes that characterize healthcare quality in a developing country and could represent other modern healthcare systems. Also, it can be used to evaluate other healthcare practices from patients' viewpoints. The study highlights the importance of healthcare quality as patient satisfaction predictors by capturing other effects such as patient status.
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Administración de los Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Educación del Paciente como Asunto/estadística & datos numéricos , Satisfacción del Paciente/estadística & datos numéricos , Calidad de la Atención de Salud , Acceso a la Información , Causalidad , Estado de Salud , Hospitales Privados/estadística & datos numéricos , Hospitales Públicos/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Modelos Teóricos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Emiratos Árabes UnidosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to show that, although there has been some research to identify the dimensions on which healthcare quality and in-patient satisfaction should be measured, the confirmation of constructs and indicators that constitute an overall care quality and satisfaction remains unclear. The objective is to present several models of service quality and satisfaction in healthcare for discharged patients; and to test those models in a sample of discharged patients in public hospitals in the United Arab Emirates. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A detailed in-patient survey (using interviews) was used. Data were collected with questionnaires from adult discharges (n = 244) in public hospitals in the UAE. Several structures are proposed and tested. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and LISREL SIMPLIS using maximum likelihood estimation were used to estimate and test the parameters of the hypothesized models derived deductively from the previous literature. FINDINGS: Several models (with one, two, three and four constructs) with different structures were tested using CFA. The final recommended model is based on three constructs--quality of care, process and administration, and information. The goodness-of-fit statistics supported the basic solution of the healthcare quality-satisfaction model. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The model has been found to capture attributes that characterize healthcare quality in a developing country such as the UAE and could represent other modern healthcare systems. It can be used as a basis for evaluation in healthcare practices from discharges (in-patients) point of view. The study highlights the importance of patients' satisfaction with care as predictors of quality of care. The results also confirm the construct validity of the previously discussed healthcare quality scales.