Psychosocial Determinants of Objective and Subjective Indicators of Successful Ageing

Abstract

Research into possible determinants of successful ageing is
continuously growing, due to the increase in the proportion
of old people in the general population, as well as the
important practical implications that it has. However, the role
of various psychosocial factors in the process of successful
ageing is still not sufficiently clarified. The main goal of this
study was to examine the contribution of a group of
psychosocial factors (optimism, resilience, generativity,
adaptation to the ageing process, social support and the
frequency of social contacts) to successful ageing. The twofactor model of Pruchno et al. (2010) was used to measure
the concept of successful ageing. The model includes the
subjective and objective components of successful ageing.
The research data were collected on a sample of 790 elderly
and old men and women aged between 65 and 98 years.
The results of hierarchical regression analyses have shown
that the best predictors of subjective and objective indicators
of successful ageing were age and psychological traits and
resources (optimism, resilience, and good adaptation to
changes in the ageing process). The applied value of these
results can be found in the identification of factors that
contribute to successful ageing and the quality of life of older
people.