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In their own words: a model of healthy aging

Author

Listed:
  • Bryant, Lucinda L.
  • Corbett, Kitty K.
  • Kutner, Jean S.

Abstract

Many previous studies have assessed the aging process by measuring clinical and functional variables. To supplement that quantitative understanding, we asked older people what constitutes their health and contributes to it. Using grounded theory-type methods, we analyzed semi-structured interviews with 22 study subjects, who were randomly selected from among those whose reported perceived health differed from that predicted by a regression model constructed from data from a randomized trial of a primary care intervention. We focused on disparate cases to identify factors that best discriminate between more and less healthy aging. Interview questions targeted perceptions of health; well-being; valued abilities, activities, and relationships; social support; control; sense of coherence; and personal outlook. A model of healthy aging emerged. To these older people health meant going and doing something meaningful, which required four components: something worthwhile to do, balance between abilities and challenges, appropriate external resources, and personal attitudinal characteristics (e.g., positive attitude vs. "poor me"). By reframing healthy aging in older people's own terms, this model encourages interdisciplinary support of their desired goals and outcomes rather than only medical approaches to deficits and challenges.

Suggested Citation

  • Bryant, Lucinda L. & Corbett, Kitty K. & Kutner, Jean S., 2001. "In their own words: a model of healthy aging," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 53(7), pages 927-941, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:53:y:2001:i:7:p:927-941
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Andrews, Gavin J. & Cutchin, Malcolm & McCracken, Kevin & Phillips, David R. & Wiles, Janine, 2007. "Geographical Gerontology: The constitution of a discipline," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 151-168, July.
    2. Waldbrook, Natalie, 2015. "Exploring opportunities for healthy aging among older persons with a history of homelessness in Toronto, Canada," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 126-133.
    3. Bénédicte H. Apouey, 2017. "Conditions économiques et définitions subjectives du « bien vieillir »: Résultats d'une enquête quantitative," PSE Working Papers halshs-01475942, HAL.
    4. María-Eugenia Prieto-Flores & Mark W. Rosenberg, 2021. "Moving around a Large City in Latin America: The Mobility Challenges Faced by Older Adults with Disabilities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    5. Karen M van Leeuwen & Miriam S van Loon & Fenna A van Nes & Judith E Bosmans & Henrica C W de Vet & Johannes C F Ket & Guy A M Widdershoven & Raymond W J G Ostelo, 2019. "What does quality of life mean to older adults? A thematic synthesis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(3), pages 1-39, March.
    6. Maya Kylén & Charlotte Löfqvist & Maria Haak & Susanne Iwarsson, 2019. "Meaning of home and health dynamics among younger older people in Sweden," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 305-315, September.
    7. Cartwright, Tina, 2007. "'Getting on with life': The experiences of older people using complementary health care," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(8), pages 1692-1703, April.
    8. Carroll, Brídín & Walsh, Kieran & Scharf, Thomas & O'Donovan, Diarmuid & Keogh, Sinéad, 2023. "Positive health and ageing policies for older Irish travellers and older people who have experienced homelessness in Ireland: Life-course meanings and determinants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    9. Carina Göransson & Yvonne Wengström & Kristina Ziegert & Ann Langius‐Eklöf & Irene Eriksson & Annica Kihlgren & Karin Blomberg, 2017. "Perspectives of health and self‐care among older persons—To be implemented in an interactive information and communication technology‐platform," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(23-24), pages 4745-4755, December.
    10. Kattika Thanakwang & Kusol Soonthorndhada & Jiraporn Mongkolprasoet, 2012. "Perspectives on healthy aging among Thai elderly: A qualitative study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(4), pages 472-479, December.
    11. Ladda Thiamwong & Michael S. McManus & Jom Suwanno, 2013. "Development of the Thai healthy aging model: A grounded theory study," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 256-261, June.
    12. Jon Anson, 2004. "The Migrant Mortality Advantage: A 70 Month Follow-up of the Brussels Population," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 20(3), pages 191-218, September.
    13. Sixsmith, J. & Sixsmith, A. & Fänge, A. Malmgren & Naumann, D. & Kucsera, C. & Tomsone, S. & Haak, M. & Dahlin-Ivanoff, S. & Woolrych, R., 2014. "Healthy ageing and home: The perspectives of very old people in five European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 1-9.
    14. Valeria Donisi & Federico Tedeschi & Juan Luis Gonzalez-Caballero & Johanna Cresswell-Smith & Elvira Lara & Marta Miret & Anna K. Forsman & Kristian Wahlbeck & Francesco Amaddeo & Jorid Kalseth, 2021. "Is Mental Well-Being in the Oldest Old Different from That in Younger Age Groups? Exploring the Mental Well-Being of the Oldest-Old Population in Europe," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1693-1717, April.
    15. Maria Nolvi & Anna Forsberg & Christina Brogårdh & Lars Jacobsson & Jan Lexell, 2022. "The Meaning of Sense of Coherence (SOC) in Persons with Late Effects of Polio—A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.

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