Factors associated with successful aging in Brazilian community-dwelling older adults: When physical health is not enough

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the main factors (physical, psychological, social and spiritual) associated with successful aging in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of older adults was conducted evaluating successful aging (Successful Aging Scale-SAS) and its associated factors (sociodemographics, resilience, religiosity/spirituality, meaning in life, quality of life, social support, self-reported diseases, mental health, medications used, among others) using regression models.

Results: A total of 534 older adults were assessed. Linear regression models showed an association of higher SAS score with greater resilience (Beta = 0.371, p < 0.001), spiritual well-being - meaning (Beta = 0.174, p < 0.001) and quality of life - physical (Beta=0.203, p < 0.001), fewer diseases (Beta=-0.128, p < 0.001), greater meaning in life (Beta=0.116, p = 0.001), less loneliness (Beta=-0.133, p = 0.001), lower tobacco use (Beta=0.080, p = 0.013), greater quality of life - environment (Beta=-0.092, p = 0.013) and more frequent religious attendance (Beta=0.068, p = 0.035).

Conclusion: The study results suggested that physical factors, although relevant, were not the main factors associated with successful aging.

Keywords: Active aging; Physical health; Psychological factors; Social factors; Spirituality; Successful aging.