The Structural Equation Modeling of Elderly Individuals' Life Expectancy Based On the Sensitivity of Anxiety, Social Support and Perception of Pain

Abstract

Iran population is aging, and there is no group more than the elderly suffers from physical and social problems. Since disabilities, physical weakness, neurological sensory deficits, death of relatives, stress, and problems create the feeling of disappointment in this group; this study aimed to investigate the life expectancy structural equation modeling among the elderly based on the anxiety sensitivity, social support, and pain perception. Methods & Materials The research was a modeling study, with an analytical cross-sectional design, which was conducted in the spring of 2016. The study population included all older males and females aged ≥60 years who were living at home. The study sample consisted of 340 older people, selected from different public places in Isfahan City, Iran. They answered the expectancy questionnaire based on Shalamzari Islamic sources, Zimt perceived social support, Reese and Peterson anxiety sensitivity, and the researchermade pain perception by Joseph and associates. The collected data were analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient, regression analyses, structural equation modeling, and fit indexes in AMOS V. 21 and SPSS V. 16. Results The average age of the participants was 66.91 years. Their Mean±SD life expectancy, perception of pain, anxiety sensitivity, and social support scores were respectively 50.51±5.71, 39.48±15.71, 40.20± 12.59, 63.91±14.62. Their Mean±SD scores of fear of body image concerns, fear of losing cognitive control, and fear of their anxiety being watched by others were respectively 20.54±9.60, 10.06±7.69, and 3.25±3.01. Also, their Mean±SD scores of family, friends, and significant others were respectively 12.69±5.61, 20.19±5.46, and 22.06±6.83. The results indicate that and life expectancy had a significant positive correlation with only social support and its three subscales of families, friends, and significant others (P<0.01). Besides, the fear of losing cognitive control showed a strong negative correlation with life expectancy (P<0.05). However, pain perception, anxiety sensitivity, fear of body image concern, and fear of their anxiety being watched by others did not show a significant relationship with life expectancy. Conclusion According to the results, if measures were taken to increase social support in the elderly, their pain and anxiety would be reduced, and life expectancy increased.