Abstract

This study examined the effect of the human-functioning dimension on happiness among community-dwelling older adults (OAs) in Chile. Questionnaires were used for data collection from a sample of 785 OAs of both sexes attending healthcare institutions. Exploratory factor analysis was performed using parallel analysis and oblique rotation. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were conducted using the maximum likelihood and unweighted least squares methods. Goodness-of-fit analyses were performed by considering absolute and respective incremental fit indices. The relationships between the functioning and happiness factors were all significant at the 1% level, indicating that functioning impacts happiness. The ratios of the variances between both constructs were identical to those of the covariances, indicating consistency between the models, with similarities and equalities in the estimation of their parameters. The modeling confirms a direct relationship between activities of daily living functioning and happiness. Given that a lack of functioning significantly affects OAs’ happiness and quality of life, this relationship is consistent with the available theory. These findings may contribute to the formulation of social and health policies regarding OAs in Chile and other Latin American countries.