Subjective Well-Being in Old Age: A Swedish Interventional Study

• Published in: Nordic journal of nursing research 2007-12, Vol.27 (4), p.9-13
• Main Authors: Petzäll, Kerstin, Olsson, Henny
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Health aspects; Influence; Life style; Wit and humor
• ISSN: 0107-4083; 2057-1585; 2057-1593
• DOI: 10.1177/010740830702700403

The sense of humour is a personal and social phenomenon that presupposes a relationship. A number of studies have reported the importance of humour for a sense of well-being. No studies have yet been published on the subject of senior citizens living in sheltered accommodation. This interventional study was carried out in order to investigate how communication, involving humour, influences the subjective well-being of senior citizens and how the humour process contributes to an understanding of humour. Group I (n=16) were living in sheltered accommodation, and group II (n=19) in their own homes. The investigation was based on a validated and reliability-tested questionnaire, including pencil and paper tests. During a pre-test (week one), the subjects answered the PGWB questionnaire and six additional questions. In the post-test (week 10), they answered the PGWB questionnaire again. The results show that senior citizens living in sheltered accommodation had a lower level of subjective well-being compared to subjects living in their own homes. The humour intervention had a significant positive effect on the participants in group I, while no obvious effect was observed in group II. Interest in and understanding of humour has increased, and humour circles were started by both groups.