Happiness and its Relationship with Social Support and Health Promoting Behaviors in Military Elderly

Happiness is one of the characteristics of health that is necessary for empowerment as well as the active and independent life of the elderly. Also, social support plays an effective role in promoting the health of the elderly by providing emotional and psychological support. The present study was designed to determine happiness and its relationship with social support and health-promoting behaviors in the military elderly.

This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 280 militaries, older adults referred to the health centers using the available sampling method. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire and Oxford Happiness Test Questionnaire, Phillips Social Support Questionnaire, and Health-Promoting Behaviors Checklist. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software using ANOVA and linear regression tests.

Forty percent of the elderly had moderate happiness, 29.6% had good happiness, and 30.4% had perfect happiness. Age, gender, and chronic diseases were significantly associated with happiness (p<0.05). Also, marital status, education, and economic status were significantly associated with social support (p<0.05). Based on regression analysis, social support in all areas and health-promoting behaviors significantly predicted happiness in the elderly (p<0.05).

Given the accelerating growth of the elderly population and the associated decline in physical and mental fitness, it is essential to pay attention to social support and health-promoting behaviors that predict happiness. Therefore, the elderly must enjoy more social and economic support by creating, amending, and strengthening protection laws and monitoring their strict implementation.