Happiness of Older Adults in Haemodialysis: Findings from a Comparative Study

Happiness is related to longevity and better health; nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about the construct, understood as subjective well-being (SWB), of older adults undergoing hemodialysis. This cross-sectional study investigated the extent to which hemodialysis treatment affects the SWB of older adults, compared to non-dialysis older adults. Regarding this, a total of 126 participants have interviewed: all the older adults in the hemodialysis service, 42 patients, from a city in Brazil, and 84 older adults from the Community, age- and gender-matched, predominantly men (64.3%), aged between 60 and 81 years. Participants respond to pattern questionnaires about SWB (life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect), depressive symptoms, sociodemographic characteristics, and physical health status. Analysis of variance presented in hemodialysis had no effect on SWB and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, participants in the hemodialysis had fewer years of schooling, and those in the community presented more diseases. The high number of illnesses and low educational level demonstrate effects on SWB, as well the length of hemodialysis is negatively associated with SWB. Therefore, hemodialysis by itself does not make older adults unhappier and depressive, but some variables depending on the socioeconomical status and length of treatment are associated with depression and worst SWB.