Staying well in old age: Predicting older adults’ wellness

Abstract

In an ageing world, the potential for ageing well in older people is still relatively unexplored. Literature has suggested that a sense of coherence (SOC) is an important factor with regard to retaining a good quality of life in old age. To explore whether satisfaction with life (SWL), as well as sociodemographic, health- and lifestyle-related variables, are predictors of SOC in a community-dwelling sample of older adults and to assess significant differences in SOC amongst the four nationalities studied. Cross-national research encompassing a community-dwelling sample of 454 older adults aged 75 years and above was undertaken. Sense of coherence was assessed using the Orientation to Life Questionnaire and Satisfaction with Life (SWL) was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to investigate a structural model of the self-reported SOC, comprising sociodemographic variables (age, gender, marital status, professional status, educational level, family’s annual income and standard of living arrangements), as well as SWL, lifestyle and health-related (physical activity and recent disease) characteristics. Significant predictors were physical activity (β = 0.804; p < 0.001), recent disease (β = 0.501;p < 0.001) and SWL (β = 0.07; p = 0.004). These variables accounted for approximately 57.5% of the variability of SOC. Moreover, differences with regard to SOC were also found amongst the four nationality groups (F(3) = 5.204; p = 0.002). Physical activity is the strongest predictor of self-reported SOC. Other predictors are the absence of a recent disease and SWL. The four nationalities presented significant differences with regard to SOC. This study highlighted the need for understanding the potential factors (in particular physical activity and further health-related characteristics) that impact on older adults’ SOC.In ’n wêreld wat aan die verouder is, is die potensiaal van bejaardes om goed te verouder steeds relatief onbekend. ’n Toenemende literatuurbasis stel voor dat koherensiesin belangrik is om ’n goeie lewensgehalte vir bejaardes te verseker. Om te verken of lewenstevredenheid, sosio-demografiese, gesondheids- en lewenstylverwante veranderlikes voorspellers is van die koherensiesin in ’n steekproef van bejaardes wat nie in tehuise woon nie, asook om die beduidende verskille tussen die vier nasionaliteite met betrekking tot die koherensiesin te evalueer. Kruis-nasionale navorsing bestaande uit ’n steekproef van 454 volwassenes, 75 jaar of ouer, wat nie in tehuise woon nie. Koherensiesin is met behulp van die lewensoriëntasievraelys beoordeel en lewenstevredenheid is met behulp van die lewenstevredenheidskaal gemeet. Strukturele vergelykingsmodellering is gebruik om ’n strukturele model van die self-gerapporteerde koherensiesin te ondersoek. Die model bestaan uit sosio-demografiese veranderlikes (ouderdom, geslag, huwelikstatus, professionele status, opvoedkundige vlak, gesin se jaarlikse inkomste en lewensomstandighede), asook lewenstevredenheid, lewenstyl- en gesondheidsverwante (fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak en onlangse siekte) eienskappe. Beduidende voorspellers is fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak (β = .804; p < 0.001), onlangse siekte (β = .501; p < 0.001) en lewenstevredenheid (β = .07; p = 0.004). Die veranderlikes verklaar onderskeidelik 57.5% van die wisselvalligheid van die koherensiesin. Verder is daar ook verskille tussen die vier nasionaliteite met betrekking tot koherensiesin (F(3) = 5.204; p = 0.002) gevind. Fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak is die sterkste voorspeller van self-gerapporteerde koherensiesin. Ander voorspellers is lewenstevredenheid en die afwesigheid van onlangse siekte. Die vier nasionaliteite het duidelike verskille ten opsigte van koherensiesin getoon. Hierdie studie beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid om die potensiële faktore − veral fisiese aktiwiteitsvlak en verdere gesondheidsverwante eienskappe − wat bejaardes se koherensiesin beïnvloed, te verstaan.

What are older adults wellness priorities? A qualitative analysis of priorities within multiple domains of wellness

“…Results align with Vom Hymboldt et al's [13] findings, identifying physical activity and absence of disease as strong predictors of older adult's belief in their ability to be well. Analysis also associated with Campbell and Kriedler's [14] study which observed that mobility and social activity are critical components of older adult's well-being.…”

“…Previous research has sought to identify variables that promote wellness among older adults. Von Humboldt et al [13] identified physical activity and absence of recent disease as strong predictors of sense of coherence, or self-efficacy toward well-being. Campbell and Kriedler [14] found that older adults do not always recognize that they are in control of their well-being.…”

“…Thoughtful reallocation of dwindling resources will maximize benefits and reduce the financial and societal costs associated with maintaining acuity among older adults [2] . Review of the current literature demonstrates that theoretically derived definitions of wellness have been established for older adults [4] using measures such as physical activity, social engagement, freedom from pain, and absence of disease, all of which are associated with wellness [13,14] . As such, older adult communities have established programs to embrace wellness care [16] .…”

The Upside of Negative Emotions: How Do Older Adults From Different Cultures Challenge Their Self-Growth During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…Cultural differences in generativity may also be influenced by the economic context of older participants. Older ethnic minority groups have disproportionately less work-related income, are less likely to have retirement pensions, have fewer opportunities for being generative, have a higher incidence of chronic illness disease, and have higher health expenses ( von Humboldt et al, 2013c , d ; von Humboldt and Leal, 2015a ; von Humboldt et al, 2021 ). As a result, older ethnic minority groups have, on average, greater health needs and fewer savings and resources ( Ferreira-Valente et al, 2019 ; Davis and Willink, 2020 ; Portocarrero et al, 2020 ).…”

Intergenerational relationships: do older adults experience ambivalence with their adult children?

“…Participants described feelings of love and contentment, while at the same time feeling the will to share relevant moments of their lives with them. Considering there is a frequent decline in the quantity of social relations in old age, family relationships, especially between parents and children, are very significant for older adults (von Humboldt et al, 2013b).…”