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328675
Duration of Widowhood and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Hispanics: Findings from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly


Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Ogie Umasabor-Bubu, MD, Departments of Epidemiology and Global Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Omonigho M. Bubu, MD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Alfred Mbah, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Background: Several studies have examined various factors that influence life satisfaction and coping mechanism of widows after the immediate loss of a spouse. However, few analyses have examined the association between widowhood duration and life satisfaction among widowed persons of Mexican descent.

Methods: We extracted data on 1,542 elderly individuals of Mexican descent aged 65 and older from the 2006 wave of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (HEPESE). Study participants (N=795) indicated their length of widowhood. Life satisfaction was dichotomized as being satisfied in life (N=528) i.e., including completely satisfied and very satisfied participants or not satisfied in life (N=134) i.e., including somewhat satisfied, and not at all satisfied individuals. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between widowhood duration and life satisfaction.

Results: Life satisfaction was strongly associated with widowhood duration after adjusting for age, sex, income level, self-rated health, and social support (p=0.03). Participants with widowed duration of 5-10 years and 11-15 years were significantly more satisfied with life compared to individuals with widowed duration of <5-years (AOR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.20-4.20 and AOR: 1.75, 95% CI: 1.04-3.52 respectively). There was no difference in life satisfaction between widows for less than five years and widows for 16-years or more.

Conclusions: Life satisfaction among elderly Hispanics appears to increase after 5-years, however this effect weakens over time. These results may reflect improved coping resources in stress mediation shortly after widowhood and possibly the effect of aging in subjective well-being.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the association between widowhood duration and life satisfaction among widowed persons of Mexican descent

Keyword(s): Latinos, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am second-year Masters in Public Health student (dual concentration in Epidemiology and Global Communicable Diseases) at the University of South Florida.I am also a foreign medical graduate with the equivalent of a US MD degree. As a Graduate Research Assistant I have had substantial experience working with faculty on HIV prevention and disclosure and health disparities as they affect minorities. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies to improve Latino health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5015.0: Poster: Public health students: Improving the health of Latino communities