title: Factors Influencing the Successful Aging of Iranian Old Adult Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aging is an irreversible natural process characterized by a decline in both the physical and mental status of individuals. Because of multiple factors, this process and its consequences vary greatly between individuals. A successful aging (SA) is the target of current health policies and well-being of individuals. Knowing the factors that contribute to SA and its barriers would translate in measurements that increase the quality of life of elderly and reduce health costs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore barriers and facilitators to Iranian elderly women's SA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A purposive sample of 16 elderly women, aged 61 - 96 years, was recruited for this qualitative content analysis study. Study data were collected during 2012 -.2013 by conducting 16 face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews. We continued the data collection until reaching saturation. Study data were analyzed concurrently with data collection, by using the conventional qualitative content analysis approach.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Barriers and facilitators to Iranian elderly women's SA fell into five main categories, including availability of support systems, state of health, personal capabilities, personality characteristics, and lifestyle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Availability of support systems, state of health, personal capabilities, personality characteristics, and lifestyle were the main interrelated factors affecting Iranian elderly women's SA. Accordingly, providing elderly women with strong educational, emotional, financial, cultural, and social supports can help facilitate their SA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS), Rasht, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nazila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Javadi Pashaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Gerontology and Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR), Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Farahnaz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.affiliation: Social Determinants of Health (SDH) Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Guilan University of Medical Sciences (GUMS), Rasht, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Fateme
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jafaraghaee
authors.affiliation: Elderly Health Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mehrdad
keywords: Aging; Female; Iran; Qualitative Research