42. POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF SUCCESSFUL AGING: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF MENTAL, PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE, AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING AMONG COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS.

Abstract

Introduction

While successful aging remains nebulously defined, research definitions commonly include domains of mental health, physical health, cognitive health, and social functioning. Positive psychological factors such as self-compassion and resilience have been shown to be important predictors of these same successful aging domains. However, the literature is mixed regarding which predictors impact which successful aging domains. Discerning the specific positive psychological factors that influence certain domains may allow for more targeted, individualized interventions. Our study aimed to understand the associations of positive psychological factors (e.g., resilience, self-compassion) with successful aging domains. We hypothesized that self-compassion and resilience would be associated with better mental health outcomes, physical health outcomes, social functioning, and cognitive functioning.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study of prospectively collected registry data of independent-living older adults in a continuing care senior housing community in San Diego County. Inclusion criteria were: English speaking, age ³65, no known diagnosis of dementia or disabling illness, and ability to complete study assessments. Positive psychological factors were assessed using validated scales: Neff Self-Compassion Scale and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Outcome measures were assessed through validated self-administered and clinician administered instruments for: depression (Patient Health Questionnaire); physical health: frailty (Fried Frailty Index), comorbidities (Cumulative Illness Rating Scale), mobility (Timed Up and Go test), subjective physical well-being (Medical Outcomes Survey); cognitive health: overall (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), executive functioning (Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System); social functioning: social support (Social Support Index), Emotional Support (Perceived Support Scale, PSS), Instrumental Support (PSS), negative social interactions (PSS), loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale 8-item); and overall successful aging (Self Rated Successful Aging Scale, SRSA).

The dataset was limited to the first visit from individuals who completed the SRSA. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics characterizing the sample were calculated with means and standard deviations for numerical variables and percentages for categorical variables. General Linear Models were used to assess associations of positive psychological factors to successful aging domains and covaried for age, sex, years of education, and relationship status.

Results

The sample included 118 participants with mean age of 82.92 (range 66-98). The majority were female (66.9%), white (90.7%), and unpartnered (59.3%). Self-compassion was positively associated with better mental health (p < 0.05) and was not associated with physical functioning. Resilience was positively associated with better subjective physical functioning (p < 0.05), but not with mental health or objective measures of physical functioning. Neither positive psychological factors was associated with cognitive health. Both were positively associated with SRSA (p values < 0.05).

Conclusions

In a sample of independent-living older adults, positive psychological factors of resilience and self-compassion had varied relationships with domains of successful aging and were unrelated to cognitive health. Successful aging interventions may thus need to integrate psychological factors.