The effect of housing problems on older people’s subjective well-being in 21 European countries (Los efectos de los problemas de vivienda sobre el bienestar subjetivo de las personas mayores en 21 países europeos)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Housing has been acknowledged as a basic human need with an impact on health and well-being. Since older people tend to be more exposed to features in their home environment, it is important to identify specific vulnerabilities. This study used cross-sectional data of 40,185 respondents from the 2014 European Social Survey Round 7 to explore the relationship between housing problems, age group (≤ 70 years and > 70 years) and evaluative (life satisfaction) and hedonic (happiness) dimensions of subjective well-being (SWB) of 21 European countries. Housing problems were significantly associated with lower levels of happiness and life satisfaction (LS) in a multilevel model. The age group was found to be a moderator of that association. When exposed to housing problems, older people (> 70 years) presented lower levels of happiness than younger adults (≤ 70 years). These findings shed light on the differentiation of age groups and call for maintenance and improvement of housing conditions in later life, aiming to promote well-being.