Mixed-methods quantitative–qualitative study of 29 nonagenarians and centenarians in rural Southern Italy: focus on positive psychological traits

Choi

2020

Preprint

BackgroundThe crucial differences in longevity related to quality of life and specific traits in the oldest old need to be investigated from a socioecological perspective because their impacts may differ in the oldest-old adults. This entailed estimating the impacts of quality of life and personal traits on the longevity of the oldest old in South Korea from a socioecological perspective. MethodsThe data were obtained from interviews with 170 South Koreans aged 95 to 108 from June 2017 to February 2020. Specifically, we interviewed 130 residents aged 100 to 108 and 40 aged 95 to 99 across 36 provinces in South Korea. This study incorporated an analytical model to observe the effects that were distributed across individuals, societies, and countries from a socioecological perspective. The factor analyses of the interview responses revealed significant correlations and hierarchical models.ResultsSeven factors were identified as major to quality of life and traits, and five in particular, industriousness, physical labour, weight 60kg, friends, meat intake, affected their longevity. In addition, fewer feelings of depression or anxiety and higher life satisfaction and living standards also influenced the longevity. ConclusionsThe quality of life and traits of South Korea’s oldest old appear to have a decisive latent impact on longevity factors. We identified seven crucial determinants of longevity in the oldest old: industriousness, labour, weight, friends, and meat intake, fewer feelings of depression or anxiety, and higher life satisfaction. Thus, those who seek longevity might emulate these traits of the oldest old.

Section: Industriousnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

WITHDRAWN: Impact of Traits and Quality of Life on Longevity Among Those Aged 95 to 108  

Choi

2020

Preprint

“…Confirming, but also expanding the resilience conceptualization for low SEP individuals previously proposed by Chen and Miller (2012), the authors concluded that in addition to mental re-evaluation of the disadvantaged background, it also appears to be necessary to have a supportive social environment (which also requires pro-social behaviors) and the will to actively confront the external circumstances in question, i.e., by changing the adverse environment with one's own actions (Kok et al, 2018). Another recent study (Scelzo et al, 2018) examined a sample of very old individuals living in rural villages in the southern part of Italy (N = 29; Age range = 90-101 years). Rural areas tend to show health-disparities due to a disproportionate lack of services in medically underserved areas, issues of access to existing services, differences in patient expectations and health-seeking behaviors, as well as the delivery of health care (Douthit, Kiv, Dwolatzky, & Biswas, 2015).…”

Section: Successful Aging Within the Context Of Socio-economic Disadvmentioning

confidence: 69%

“…Specifically, this model suggests that the environment can facilitate access to resilience-promoting resources; that resilience may differ as a result of the complex and changing nature of an individual's circumstances and the interaction with their personal traits; and that the resilience process is culturally and temporally embedded and is therefore influenced by the cultural norms of the time, which is particularly important for specific cultural groups such as minorities (Ungar, 2011). The importance of the individual-environment interaction for the well-being of disadvantaged populations can be seen in the reoccurring finding that environmental and contextual factors, such as social support and social engagement, were significant in supporting individual resilience and SA (e.g., Emlet et al, 2017;Kok et al, 2018;Scelzo et al, 2018).…”

Section: Underlying Mechanisms Of Successful Agingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Successful Aging in Individuals From Less Advantaged, Marginalized, and Stigmatized Backgrounds

Thoma

Gee

2019

CPE

Health and well-being in later life are heavily influenced by behaviors across the life course, which in turn are influenced by a variety of wider contextual, social, economic, and organizational factors. There is considerable potential for inequalities in health-promoting behaviors and health outcomes, arising from poverty, social, and environmental factors. This suggests that individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds and circumstances may have more exposure to (chronic) stressors, coupled with reduced access to resources, and increased susceptibility to risk factors for ill-health and mental disorders in later life. This drastically decreases the likelihood for successful aging in individuals from less advantaged backgrounds. Nevertheless, despite these adverse circumstances, some high-risk, disadvantaged individuals have been shown to achieve and maintain good health and well-being into later life. This scientific update provides an overview of recently published research with samples that, against expectations, demonstrate successful aging. Favorable personality traits, cognitive strategies, and a high-level of intrinsic motivation, paired with a supportive social environment, have been found to build a prosperous basis for successful aging and positive health outcomes in later life for individuals living in aversive environmental circumstances. For clinical psychologists, the movement towards the investigation of underlying mechanisms of successful aging from a psychological perspective, particularly in disadvantaged individuals, may be a critical step towards understanding the vast heterogeneity in aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging. Successful aging is possible in disadvantaged individuals. Psychological and social resilience resources may compensate for the impact of disadvantage. The application of multi-level resilience models can aid future research on successful aging.

“…The qualitative descriptive study on centenarians growing up on an Appalachian farm by Holston and Callen (2017) also put emphasis on eating healthy garden-fresh produce and having ample milk and butter, produced on the farm, as contributing to longevity. For participants in Scelzo et al (2018), who were rural dwelling, 'love of the land' was also a significant factor in the lives of the centenarians. The importance of a good family life and supportive community relations was a common finding in other qualitative studies (Power et al, 2006;Wong et al, 2014;Holston and Callen, 2017;Scelzo et al, 2018), as was hard work and physical exercise during childhood (Holston and Callen, 2017;Mackowicz and Wnek-Gozdek, 2017;Scelzo et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Just another day’: the lived experience of being a hundred years old for ten New Zealanders

Ratan¹,

Vries

2019

Ageing and Society

The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of extended longevity as perceived by centenarians. Centenarians (people over 100 years of age) are the fastest growing group of the ageing population in developed countries. Ten centenarians aged between 100 and 106 years, living in the Lower North Island of New Zealand, participated in the study. The biographical narrative interpretive method of inquiry guided data collection through face-to-face interviews, and thematic analysis was subsequently undertaken. Four themes were identified: (a) ‘becoming a centenarian: ‘Just another day’; (b) ‘growing up in a privileged environment’ that revealed four sub-themes: ‘having freedom and choice’, ‘being loved and nurtured’, ‘living healthy lifestyles’ and having ‘good education prospects’; (c) ‘unique opportunities in adult life’; and (d) ‘positive ageing and celebration of longevity’. The centenarians spoke nonchalantly about their experience of turning 100 and positive personalities were prominent features of the participants, who all expressed a sense of acceptance and satisfaction with life and contentment with living in the present, a feature throughout their lives that was ongoing and at an intergenerational level. This study has provided further insights into the existing literature on longevity and through the narratives of the centenarians has demonstrated the value of Erikson's psycho-social stages of development and Tornstam's theory of gerotranscendence when considering positive ageing.