Leading a meaningful life at older ages and its relationship with social engagement, prosperity, health, biology, and time use.

ABSTRACT: The sense that one is living a worthwhile and meaningful life is fundamental to human flourishing and subjective well-being. Here, we investigate the wider implications of feeling that the things one does in life are worthwhile with a sample of 7,304 men and women aged 50 and older (mean 67.2 y). We show that independently of age, sex, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status, higher worthwhile ratings are associated with stronger personal relationships (marriage/partnership, contact with friends), broader social engagement (involvement in civic society, cultural activity, volunteering), less loneliness, greater prosperity (wealth, income), better mental and physical health (self-rated health, depressive symptoms, chronic disease), less chronic pain, less disability, greater upper

SUBMITTER: Steptoe A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6347683 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature