Positive Aging in Nursing Home Residents: A Salutogenic Analysis

Abstract

The main objective of nursing homes is to enable their residents a good life despite their existing physical, mental, and social health problems. In this cross-sectional study, we explored the mechanisms of positive aging in nursing-home residents from a salutogenic perspective. We interviewed 190 individuals (155 women) with a mean age of M = 84.3 years (SD = 7.60) and assessed selected resistance resources (subjective age, social network characteristics), the sense of coherence, and positive aging (psychological health and subjective well-being). The sense of coherence fully mediated perceived availability of social support and a younger age identification effects on positive aging. In line with salutogenic theory, it represents a superordinate concept which pools resource influences on positive aging.