Successful aging in Shanghai, China: definition, distribution and related factors.
OBJECTIVE
There are few studies of successful aging in China. This study was designed to investigate the distribution, and related factors, of successful aging in an elderly Chinese population.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, community-dwelling elderly population was surveyed in Shanghai, China. We defined successful aging based on a multi-dimensional model. Correlates of successful aging were explored through the Shanghai Successful Aging Project Questionnaire, which includes sociodemographic questions, and a battery of standardized instruments, including the Chinese version of the Mini-mental State Examination, activities of daily living, and the Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA).


RESULTS
The rate of successful aging was 46.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 43.6-48.7] among people aged 65 or above, and the rate for males was higher than that for females. The rate was much lower for those aged 85 years or over (9.4%). Logistic regression analysis suggested that female gender and older age were unfavorable factors for successful aging. A higher score on the LSIA, more leisure activities and being currently married related to successful aging.


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of successful aging in Shanghai, China is similar to that found in studies from western countries. There are some potentially modifiable factors that may relate to successful aging.
Department of Psychiatry, Tongji Hospital of Tongji University, Shanghai, China. chunbo_li@yahoo.com
Chunbo
C
Li
Wenyuan
W
Wu
Hua
H
Jin
Xu
X
Zhang
Haibo
H
Xue
Yanling
Y
He
Shifu
S
Xiao
Dilip V
DV
Jeste
Mingyuan
M
Zhang
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires