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The relationship between attitudes to aging and physical and mental health in older adults

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 May 2012

Christina Bryant ,
Bei Bei ,
Kim Gilson ,
Angela Komiti ,
Henry Jackson  and
Fiona Judd
Christina Bryant*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Bei Bei
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Kim Gilson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Angela Komiti
Affiliation:
Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Henry Jackson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Fiona Judd
Affiliation:
Centre for Women's Mental Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Christina Bryant, Senior Lecturer – Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychological Sciences, 12th Floor, Redmond Barry Building, University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia. Phone: +61-3-8344-6371; Fax: +61-3-9347-6618. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background: Attitudes are known to exert a powerful influence on a range of behaviors. The objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of attitudes toward one's own aging to satisfaction with life and physical and mental health measured in a sample of community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Adults who were part of a larger study of health and well-being in rural and regional Australia aged ≥60 years (N = 421) completed a cross-sectional postal survey comprising the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire, the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.

Results: Overall, attitudes to aging were positive in this sample. More positive attitudes to aging were associated with higher levels of satisfaction with life, better self-report physical and mental health on the SF-12, and lower levels of anxiety and depression, after controlling for confounding variables. Better financial status and being employed were both associated with more positive attitudes to aging and better self-reported physical health. Relationship status was also significantly associated with mental health and satisfaction with life, but not physical health.

Conclusion: The promotion of successful aging is increasingly becoming important in aging societies. Having positive attitudes to aging may contribute to healthier mental and physical outcomes in older adults. Overcoming negative stereotypes of aging through change at the societal and individual level may help to promote more successful aging.

Keywords

attitudesanxietydepressionhealthy ageing
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 10 , October 2012 , pp. 1674 - 1683
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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