Validation of a novel successful aging construct.
OBJECTIVE
Assess the validity of our previously published multidimensional concept of Successful Aging that integrates physiological, psychological, and sociological domains of health.


METHODS
Three distinctly different populations were used to assess the discriminant and predictive validity.


METHODS
Data included 1438 women age 65 and older who participated in the Women's Health and Aging Studies I and II (WHAS-I and WHAS-II) and 302 participants in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) study. Outcome measures included ADL and IADL function, self-reported health status, and number of hospitalizations.


RESULTS
Within the CCRC, the Successful Aging construct discriminated participants with regard to ADL and IADL function and self-reported health status. In both WHAS-I and WHAS- II samples, the construct predicted functional ADL and IADL change over time, and in WHAS-I, it predicted hospitalizations.


CONCLUSIONS
The Successful Aging construct appears valid and warrants further research and refinement among the general population.
Young
Yuchi
Y
Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, State University of NewYork at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA. yyoung@albany.edu
Fan
Ming-Yu
MY
Parrish
John M
JM
Frick
Kevin D
KD
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D016387:Women's Health