Factors Associated with Subjective Successful Aging Among Iranian Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background: Subjective Successful Aging (SSA) refers to individuals’ self-rating of their aging process. Demographics, socioeconomic status, and health conditions of older adults can shape their aging process and their self-evaluation of it. This study aimed to explore the status of SSA and its related factors among a sample of Iranian older adults in 2022. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 410 older adults in Bojnurd, Iran, who were selected by a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected through a four-part questionnaire consisting of objective socioeconomic status, subjective socioeconomic status (Subjective Social Status (SSS) and Perceived Income Adequacy (PIA)), health status (Self-Related Health (SRH) and number of chronic diseases), and the SSA six-question scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version 22). Bivariable and multiple linear regression analyses were run to identify the factors associated with SSA. Results: The mean (standard deviation) age of the participants was 68 (7.33). The mean (standard deviation) of the SSA score was 60.69 (17.85). Only 132 individuals (32.20%) considered themselves successful. According to regression analysis, among the investigated variables, the predictors of SSA were SRH (β = 0.40, p < 0.001), PIA (β = 0.23, p < 0.001), SSS (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), and age (β = −0.11, p = 0.009), respectively. Conclusions: Regarding the low percentage of participants who considered themselves successful seniors, it is necessary to pay more attention to promoting the aspect of successful aging and its related determinants. According to the results, promoting perceived health and reducing financial concerns, especially in older people, could finally increase SSA among Iranian older adults.