title: Determinants of successful aging using a multidimensional definition among Chinese elderly in Singapore.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Most studies of successful aging have used restricted definitions based on the absence of disability and identified a small number of predictors. The authors aimed to examine whether a broad multidimensional definition of successful aging has good construct validity and identified a wider range of predictors that are relevant for multifaceted interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional and longitudinal data analyses were performed on 1,281 community-living Chinese elderly of 65 years and above in the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study cohort. Successful aging was measured in multiple dimensions of functioning and wellness: cognitive and affective status, physical health, social functioning and engagement and life satisfaction, and a summary composite measure created across dimensions to form a dichotomous variable. Potential determinants included sociodemographic, psychosocial, behavioral variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful aging was determined in 28.6% of respondents and in multivariate models was significantly (p <0.05) associated with age (OR = 0.90), female gender (OR = 1.37), > or =6 years of education (OR = 2.31), better housing (OR = 1.41), religious or spiritual beliefs (OR = 1.64), physical activities and exercise (OR = 1.90), and low or no nutritional risk (OR = 2.16).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast to findings based on more restricted biomedical definitions of successful aging, a multidimensional definition of successful aging identified more variables including demographic status, psychosocial support, spirituality, and nutrition as salient determinants.
authors.affiliation: National University of Singapore, Department of Psychological Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore. pcmngtp@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: Tze Pin
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Birit F P
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Broekman
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niti
authors.forename: Xinyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gwee
authors.forename: Ee Heok
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Kua
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D044466:Asian People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D009626:Terminology as Topic