Does ageing alter the contribution of health to subjective well-being?

Older adults regularly report rising levels of Subjective Well-Being (SWB) over time, despite a concomitant decline in their health. One possible explanation is that individuals develop psychological mechanisms to diminish the contribution health well-being as they get older. This research examines whether observational data are consistent with this hypothesis hedonic adaptation ageing, all aspects SWB, and for different births cohorts time. Using longitudinal from Survey Health, Ageing Retirement Europe (SHARE) between 2007 2015 10 European countries respondents aged 50 onwards (4 waves, 41,258 individuals), we estimated panel fixed-effects models outcomes measuring three SWB: evaluative (life satisfaction), experienced (positive negative affectivity) eudemonic (sense purpose meaning life). We decomposed age birth cohort time fixed effects. Changes SWB were by interaction terms Results showed value changes ways depend on measure SWB. increases importance both well-being. By contrast, association life satisfaction weakens age, except 80 above which it strengthens. Our results thus offer only little support restricted under years age. These findings caution against use mean estimations lifespan determine well various forms interchangeably public policy analysis economic evaluations healthcare.