We aimed to explore the distribution of positive and negative emotions across nine low-, middle- and high-income countries; and the association between social factors and these emotions. Data were drawn from the SAGE and the COURAGE studies, with 52,553 participants. Emotions were assessed through the day reconstruction method.Sociodemographic characteristics and social factors were also measured. Multiple linear regressions were performed. Finland, China and African countries showed significantly lower scores on the negative emotions, whereas positive emotions were more homogeneous across countries. Loneliness was positively associated with negative. emotions and negatively associated with positive ones; frequent social participation was related with higher scores in positive emotions; and lower trust with higher levels of feeling rushed, irritated, depressed and less calm. The extent to which each emotion was felt varied across countries, but there seems to exist an association of social factors with the emotions
The research leading to these results has received funding from the US National Institute on Ageing Interagency Agreements (OGHA 04034785, YA1323–08-CN-0020, Y1-AG-1005-01 and R01-AG034479) and research grant (R01-AG034479), the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme (grant agreement 223071 - COURAGE in Europe), the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FIS research grants PS09/00295, PS09/01845, PI12/01490, PI13/00059, PI16/00218, PI16/01073 and PI16/00177), the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ACI Promociona (ACI2009–u201310101010) and the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (DOI: 10.13039/501100006751). Elvira Lara’s work is supported by the “Juan de la Cierva” postdoctoral program (IJC2019-041846-I) of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. Beatriz Olaya’s work is supported by the Miguel Servet (CP20/00040) contract, funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and co-funded by the European Union (ERDF/ESF, “Investing in your future”). Chiara Castelletti’s work is supported by the programme “Contratos predoctorales para Formación de Personal Investigador, FPI-UAM,” Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.