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Correlational findings

Study Pitkälä et al. (2004): study FI 1989

Public
75-85 aged, Helsinki, Finland followed 1989-1999, ( T1 1989, T2 1994, T3 1999)
Sample
Respondents
N = 491
Non Response
18%
Assessment
Interview: face-to-face
Also postal questionnaire and clininal examination.

Correlate

Authors's Label
Moved to institutional care
Our Classification
Remarks
T1-T2 difference: 5 years
Distribution
N = O; 85,5%, 1: 14,5%
Operationalization
0. Still iving on their own at T2
1. Went to care home between T1 and T2

Observed Relation with Happiness

Happiness Measure Statistics Elaboration / Remarks O-SLu-md-sq-v-2-b OR = ns OR controled for:
- age
- gender
- T1 health (comprehensive measure)

This happiness item is part of an index of 'positive life orientation', which also involved questions on: feeling needed, having plans for the future, having zest in life, seldom feeling depressed and seldom feeling lonely (all coded yes/no)
High scores on that index at T1 (all items yes) go with a lower chance of being in instititional care at T2 (OR = 0.58), but not at T3.  
Split up of T2 difference shows that the holds for all items separately, but not for this question on life satisfaction.