Subjective well-being (SWB) is often described as being U-shaped over adulthood, declining to a midlife slump and then improving thereafter. Improved SWB in later adulthood has been considered a paradox given age-related declines in health and social losses. While SWB has mostly been studied in high-income countries, it remains largely unexplored in rural subsistence populations lacking formal institutions that reliably promote social welfare. Here, we evaluate the age profile of SWB among three small-scale subsistence societies (n = 468; study 1), forest users from 23 low-income countries (n = 6987; study 2), and Tsimane’ horticulturalists (n = 1872; study 3). Across multiple specifications, we find variability in SWB age profiles. In some cases, we find no age-related differences in SWB or even inverted U-shapes. Adjusting for confounders reduces observed age effects. Our findings highlight variability in average well-being trajectories over the life course. Ensuring successful aging will require a greater focus on cultural and socioecological determinants of individual trajectories.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado0952Altmetric score:
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Publication year
2024
Authors
Gurven, M.; Buoro, Y.; Rodriguez, D.E.; Sayre, K.; Trumble, B.; Pyhälä, A.; Kaplan, H.; Angelsen, A.; Stieglitz, J.; Reyes-García, V.
Language
English
Keywords
livelihoods, rural community, rural population, socioeconomics, household income
