The Mediating Role of Happiness in the Relationship Between Older Adults’ Intentional Activities and Health

Abstract

The present study examined the nature of relationships between older adults’ intentional happiness-enhancing activities, happiness and health outcomes, and extended previous research by testing the prediction that happiness mediates the relationship between intentional activities and health. Multiple regression analysis of survey responses from a representative population sample of 2289 adults (aged 55-73 years) was employed to test predictions. Happiness was found to fully mediate the relationship between socially related activities and physical health, to partially mediate the relationships between personal interest and achievement oriented activities and physical health, and to fully mediate the relationships between these types of intentional activity and mental health. Results support the utility of investigating older adult’s intentional activities as a determinant of happiness and indicate that they also benefit health outcomes through happiness.