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Successful aging at 100 years: the relevance of subjectivity and psychological resources

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 July 2015

Lia Araújo ,
Oscar Ribeiro ,
Laetitia Teixeira  and
Constança Paúl
Lia Araújo*
Affiliation:
UnIFai- ICBAS, University of Porto; ESEV, CI&DETS, Viseu, Portugal
Oscar Ribeiro
Affiliation:
UnIFai, CINTESIS-ICBAS, University of Porto; University of Aveiro; Higher Institute of Social Service of Porto (ISSSP), Portugal
Laetitia Teixeira
Affiliation:
UnIFai, CINTESIS-ICBAS, University of Porto, Portugal
Constança Paúl
Affiliation:
UnIFai, CINTESIS-ICBAS, University of Porto, Portugal
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Lia Araújo, UNIFAI/ICBAS (Research and Education Unit on Ageing), Department of Behavioral Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal. Phone: +351220428161. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background:

Very old individuals seem to present an admirable capacity to overcome adversities and adapt to the challenges of advanced age. However, studies focusing successful pattern of centenarians found that they may easily fail to be categorized as successful agers when objective criteria are applied. The present study examines if centenarians can be considered successful agers. Following Rowe and Kahn's successful aging model, the primary goal was to clarify whether centenarians are able to be successful agers according to objective and subjective criteria of no major disease and disability, high cognitive and physical functioning and engagement with life. The second goal was to investigate whether socio-demographic factors, psychological, social, and economic resources are related to objective and subjective successful aging profiles.

Methods:

We examined different profiles of successful aging in a high selected sample of individuals aged 100 and more years old from the population-based Oporto Centenarian Study.

Results:

Main findings reveal that centenarians do not represent the prototype of successful aging, but self-ratings demonstrate that many of them feel successful, despite not being objectively considered as so. Those who were considered successful agers presented higher values of self-efficacy, hope, and purpose in life, as well as few difficulties in covering financial expenses.

Conclusions:

As a basis for strengthening the existing model, the value of subjectivity should be explored and psychological resources promoted in interventions to foster positive adaptation in very old age.

Keywords

successful agingcentenarianslongevitysubjectivityresources
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 28 , Issue 2 , February 2016 , pp. 179 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2015 

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