Health and happiness among community‐dwelling older adults in Domkhar valley, Ladakh, India

Older adults in Domkhar, India, reported higher levels of subjective happiness compared to Japanese controls despite facing more challenges with daily activities.

• Individuals in Domkhar experienced more difficulties in basic activities of daily living than their Japanese counterparts.
• Domkhar residents were significantly more likely to maintain social roles.
• Higher scores in friendship, economic satisfaction, and happiness were observed among the Domkhar group compared to Japanese controls.
• Living alone, high depression scores, and longer times on a mobility test were linked to lower subjective happiness scores.
• Residence in Domkhar was associated with a lower prevalence of low subjective happiness scores.

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