OBJECTIVE: We conceptualize successful aging as a cumulative index of individual resources (the absence of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, social embeddedness) in the service of successful aging outcomes (global well-being, experienced well-being, and vital status), and conditioned by age, social structure, and environment. METHOD: The study used baseline and follow-up data from the 2008-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 17,230; age = 51-101). Linear, multilevel, and logistic models compared individual resources at baseline as independent, cumulative, and binary predictors of outcomes 4 years later. RESULTS: Individual resources were unequally distributed across age group and social structures (education, wealth, race, gender) and had a cumulative effect on all successful aging outcomes. For experienced well-being, individual resources were most important at midlife and for groups with lower education. Person-environment congruence (social cohesion, city satisfaction) was associated with all successful aging outcomes and conditioned the effect of individual resources on experienced well-being. DISCUSSION: A cumulative index allows for gradations in resources that can be compensated for by external factors such as person-environment congruence. This index could guide policy and interventions to enhance resources in vulnerable subgroups and diminish inequalities in successful aging outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: We conceptualize successful aging as a cumulative index of individual resources (the absence of disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning, social embeddedness) in the service of successful aging outcomes (global well-being, experienced well-being, and vital status), and conditioned by age, social structure, and environment. METHOD: The study used baseline and follow-up data from the 2008-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 17,230; age = 51-101). Linear, multilevel, and logistic models compared individual resources at baseline as independent, cumulative, and binary predictors of outcomes 4 years later. RESULTS: Individual resources were unequally distributed across age group and social structures (education, wealth, race, gender) and had a cumulative effect on all successful aging outcomes. For experienced well-being, individual resources were most important at midlife and for groups with lower education. Person-environment congruence (social cohesion, city satisfaction) was associated with all successful aging outcomes and conditioned the effect of individual resources on experienced well-being. DISCUSSION: A cumulative index allows for gradations in resources that can be compensated for by external factors such as person-environment congruence. This index could guide policy and interventions to enhance resources in vulnerable subgroups and diminish inequalities in successful aging outcomes.
Authors: Sara J McLaughlin; Cathleen M Connell; Steven G Heeringa; Lydia W Li; J Scott Roberts Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2009-12-14 Impact factor: 4.077
Authors: Amanda Sonnega; Jessica D Faul; Mary Beth Ofstedal; Kenneth M Langa; John W R Phillips; David R Weir Journal: Int J Epidemiol Date: 2014-03-25 Impact factor: 7.196
Authors: Vicki A Freedman; Frank Stafford; Norbert Schwarz; Frederick Conrad; Jennifer C Cornman Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2011-11-27 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Sarah Mount; Luigi Ferrucci; Anke Wesselius; Maurice P Zeegers; Annemie Mwj Schols Journal: Aging (Albany NY) Date: 2019-05-24 Impact factor: 5.682