(School of Psychology, Massey University, 2012) Henricksen, Annette; Stephens, Christine
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.
