The Relationship of Life Satisfaction, Health Behaviors and Successful Aging in the Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to the relationship between life satisfaction, health behaviors, and successful aging and factors associated with successful aging. Methods: Participants in this study included 159 elders living in one city. Data on life satisfaction (Choi's Life Satisfaction Scale for Korean elderly, 1984), health behaviors (Choi & Kim's Health Behaviors Scale for Korean elderly, 1997), and successful aging (Kim & Shin's Successful Aging Scale for Korean elderly, 2005) were collected by trained interviewers. For analysis of collected data, the PASW 18.0 program was used, which included descriptive analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Multiple regression. Results: Results showed a positive correlation between life satisfaction, health behaviors, and successful aging. Life satisfaction, self-perceived health status, and health behavior explained 60.8% of successful aging. Conclusion: There is a need to help improve health behavior and self-perceived health status of elders. We should also understand life satisfaction over their life span and establish a program that encourages healthy behavior in the community. Accordingly, these efforts will allow for achievement of a more successful aging process for the elderly.

Expanding the aging self: Investigating successful aging among Korean older adults using grounded theory

“…Developing the valuable self was another essential process of successful aging identified in this study, which is consistent with previous research (Cosco et al, 2014;Lee & Moon, 2012;Reichstadt et al, 2010). It is necessary for older adults to try and identify their capacities and to engage in regular and purposeful activities (Troutman et al, 2011), as these strategies can provide the dynamic power that influences feelings of control over the physical and emotional self (Reichstadt et al, 2010).…”