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Proactive Aging Among Holocaust Survivors: Striving for the Best Possible Life

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  • Roni Elran-Barak
  • Adi Barak
  • Jacob Lomranz
  • Yael Benyamini

Abstract

Objectives To investigate methods that older Holocaust survivors and their age peers use in order to maintain the best possible life and to examine associations between these methods and subjective well-being. Method Participants were 481 older Israelis (mean age 77.4 ± 6.7 years): Holocaust survivors (n = 164), postwar immigrants (n = 183), and prewar immigrants (n = 134). Measures included sociodemographics and indicators of health and well-being. Respondents were asked to answer an open-ended question: “What are the methods you use to maintain the best possible life?†. Answers were coded into eight categories. Results Holocaust survivors were significantly less likely to mention methods coded as “Enjoyment†(32.3%) relative to postwar (43.7%) and prewar (46.2%) immigrants and significantly more likely to mention methods coded as “Maintaining good health†(39.0%) relative to postwar (27.9%) and prewar (21.6%) immigrants. Controlling for sociodemographics and health status, Holocaust survivors still differed from their peers. Discussion Aging Holocaust survivors tended to focus on more essential/fundamental needs (e.g., health), whereas their peers tended to focus on a wider range of needs (e.g., enjoyment) in their effort to maintain the best possible life. Our findings may add to the proactivity model of successful aging by suggesting that aging individuals in Israel use both proactive (e.g., health) and cognitive (e.g., accepting the present) adaptation methods, regardless of their reported history during the war.

Suggested Citation

  • Roni Elran-Barak & Adi Barak & Jacob Lomranz & Yael Benyamini, 2018. "Proactive Aging Among Holocaust Survivors: Striving for the Best Possible Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 73(8), pages 1446-1456.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:73:y:2018:i:8:p:1446-1456.
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Angus Deaton, 2008. "Income, Health, and Well-Being around the World: Evidence from the Gallup World Poll," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 22(2), pages 53-72, Spring.
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