A Successful Aging Model Based on Personal Resources, Self-Care, and Life Satisfaction

The most internationally studied models of successful aging defend that there are several pillars for a good aging: absence of disease, good cognitive and physical function, a high commitment and social activity, social capital, personal resources, life satisfaction, and spirituality. This study examines the relationships between personal resources, perceived social support, hope, spirituality, self-care and subjective well-being variables, as bases for a successful aging. One thousand and sixteen community-dwelling Spanish adults, aged 55-92 years, participated in the study. Information on variables assessed was collected using self-reported questionnaires. Confirmatory Factor Analyses and Structural models with latent variables relating all indicators and factors were estimated. The structural model positing background variables affecting personal resources which then affected self-care behaviors and finally affected life satisfaction was supported by the data. The model results emphasize the importance of personality, because largely affects the use of personal resources. The three selected personal resources (support, hope and spirituality) favor self-care behaviors. And finally, these behaviors improved life satisfaction in the old age. This result is of particular importance when policies for a successful and satisfactory aging of the population have to be designed.

Automated summary

This study found that personal resources, social support, hope, spirituality, and self-care play important roles in successful aging. Personality is key in determining the use of personal resources, which in turn contribute to self-care behaviors and ultimately improve life satisfaction in old age.