Exploring the Association between Welfare State and Mental Wellbeing in Europe: Does Age Matter?

Previous research reports show mixed results regarding the age gradient in population mental wellbeing, which may be linked to the role that welfare states play. In this study, we investigate whether an age gradient exists in relation to the association between welfare state and mental wellbeing wit...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Kalseth, Jorid, Donisi, Valeria, Miret García, Marta, Forsman, Anna K., Cresswell-Smith, Johanna
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repositorio:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/714599
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10486/714599
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710985
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:age gradient
mental wellbeing
psychological wellbeing
subjective wellbeing
welfare state
Medicina
Descripción
Sumario:Previous research reports show mixed results regarding the age gradient in population mental wellbeing, which may be linked to the role that welfare states play. In this study, we investigate whether an age gradient exists in relation to the association between welfare state and mental wellbeing within the adult population in Europe. We combine individual level data from Round 6 of the European Social Survey and country level data on welfare state and use multilevel regression analyses to explore population mental wellbeing. Subjective and psychological wellbeing dimensions were analyzed, and different approaches to measuring welfare state were explored, including a regime typology and composite welfare state measures constructed on the basis of a set of eight individual indicators. We found the age gradient for mental wellbeing to differ between welfare states, with the positive impact of the welfare state increasing with age. A universal and generous welfare state seems to be particularly important for older adults, who are also more likely to be in higher need of transfers and services provided by the welfare state