Perceptions of active ageing in Britain: divergences between minority ethnic and whole population samples.
OBJECTIVE
to identify perceptions of, and associations with, active ageing among ethnically diverse and homogeneous samples of older people in Britain.


METHODS
cross-sectional and longitudinal surveys of older people living at home in Britain.


METHODS
active ageing, health, psych-social, socio-economic circumstances, and indicators of quality of life.


RESULTS
respondents defined active ageing as having health, fitness, and exercise; psychological factors; social roles and activities; independence, neighbourhood and enablers. The ethnically diverse sample respondents were less likely to define active ageing as having physical health and fitness, and were less likely to rate themselves as ageing actively, than more homogeneous sample respondents. The lay-based measure of quality of life used was independently and consistently associated with self-rated active ageing in each sample


CONCLUSIONS
Policy models of active ageing were reflected in lay views, although the latter had a more multidimensional focus. Lay definitions of active ageing were also more dynamic, compared with definitions of quality of life and successful ageing. Differences in self-rated active ageing and perceptions of this concept by ethnic group need further exploration.
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, University College London, Hampstead Campus, London NW3 2PF, UK. a.bowling@ucl.ac.uk
Ann
A
Bowling
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008913:Minority Groups; D044382:Population Groups; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000208:ethnology