Happy and in Control: Links between Measures of Perceived Control, Happiness, and Blood Pressure in the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE)

Tyler Barrett, University of Oregon
Melissa A. Liebert, University of Oregon
Elizabeth Thiele, Vassar College
Paul Kowal, World Health Organization (WHO)

The current study uses data gathered from nationally-representative samples of older adults (=50 years old) in six countries (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russian Federation, and South Africa) as part of the Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) to investigate: 1) links among blood pressure (BP), ability to cope, and perceived control; 2) links between BP and perceived income adequacy; and 3) links between BP and happiness. Among Indian men, those who fairly often felt unable to control things in their life had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) than those who always felt in control (p<0.01), and Russian women who fairly often felt unable to cope had significantly higher SBP than those who always felt able to cope (p<0.01). Surprisingly, SBP was significantly higher among Russian women (p<0.05) and Chinese men (p<0.05) reporting greater happiness. This study documented substantial across country differences in these associations among older adults.