Successful aging: early influences and contemporary characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
positing that successful aging has independent, yet related, dimensions that are both objective and subjective, we examine how early influences and contemporary characteristics define 4 groups of people.


METHODS
data were gathered from 5,688 persons aged 50-74 years living in New Jersey who participated in telephone interviews. Latent profile analysis defined people who age successfully according to both objective and subjective criteria, neither criteria, and one, but not the other, criteria. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the extent to which early influences and contemporary characteristics predict group membership.


RESULTS
although characteristics observable early in life predict group membership, their influence is modified by current health behaviors and social support. The roles of education and incarceration feature prominently. Marital, work, and volunteer statuses, as well as moderate alcohol consumption, distinguish those aging successfully according to both criteria from the other 3 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
results help to define successful aging as a multidimensional construct having both objective and subjective dimensions, provide greater clarity regarding its correlates, and increase understanding of its modifiable aspects.
New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, UMDNJ-SOM, 42 E. Laurel Road, Suite 2300, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA. pruchnra@umdnj.edu
Rachel A
RA
Pruchno
Maureen
M
Wilson-Genderson
Miriam
M
Rose
Francine
F
Cartwright
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009515:New Jersey; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires