The relationship between attitudes toward aging and health-promoting behaviours in older adults

Attitudes Towards Aging, Depression, Physical Functioning, and Pain Among Women Living with HIV of Reproductive Age

Positive attitudes towards aging (ATA) are associated with better mental and physical health in the general population and with lower depressive symptoms among men living with HIV. Little is known about ATA among women of reproductive age living with HIV (WWH), who often experience premature aging, depression, and chronic pain. This study examined the association of ATA with HIV, physical functioning, and pain among women 19-45 years-of-age. From 2021 to 2022, survey data were collected at baseline from 143 WWH and 39 women without HIV (WWOH) across the southern United States; 94 WWH also completed a six-month follow-up visit. Baseline ATA was compared across HIV status. Among WWH, correlations between ATA, participant factors relevant in prior research (i.e., age, depression, illness), pain, and physical functioning were examined. Regressions examined the association of baseline ATA with physical functioning and pain across visits, including when controlling for potential confounders. Having one or more negative ATA was reported by an equal proportion of WWH (57%) and WWOH (58%). Among WWH, more positive ATA correlated with lower depressive symptoms, better physical functioning, and lower pain at baseline. Lower depressive symptoms correlated with better physical functioning and lower pain at baseline. In regressions, more positive ATA was associated with better physical functioning at baseline and follow-up. A weak association of ATA with pain at baseline was not significant at follow-up or after controlling for depression. Research is warranted to examine how combined interventions to improve ATA, depression, and pain can support well-being among reproductive-aged WWH.

Understanding mental health in older adults: exploring the interplay of wisdom, perceived poor health, and attitudes toward aging

OBJECTIVES

Late adulthood is marked by challenges that impact well-being. While perceived health, wisdom, and positive attitudes toward aging correlate with better mental health in later life, their interrelations are not well understood. This study explored if three-dimensional wisdom could buffer the negative impact of poor physical health on mental health, and if positive attitudes toward aging mediated the effects of wisdom and poor health on mental health.

METHOD

A survey of 500 Polish older adults aged 60-86 included the Personal Wellbeing Index, Geriatric Depression Scale, Three-Dimensional Wisdom Scale, Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire, perceived health, and sociodemographic questions.

RESULTS

Wisdom buffered the negative association between poor physical health on mental health and had a significantly stronger effect on mental health if perceived physical health was very poor. The relations of wisdom, poor health, and the interaction between wisdom and poor health on mental health were partially mediated by attitudes toward aging.

CONCLUSION

Wisdom seems to mitigate the negative effects of poor health on mental health, and wise older adults tend to have more positive attitudes toward aging, leading to better mental health outcomes. Those findings support the important role played by wisdom and attitudes toward aging in healthy aging interventions.

The relationship between active aging and healthy lifestyle behaviors of individuals aged 65 years and older: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

With the increase in life expectancy in the world, active aging has become an important issue. This study aims to investigate the relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviors and active aging in the elderly.

METHODS

This study, which used a descriptive and correlational survey model, was conducted with the participation of 145 individuals aged 65 years and over enrolled in the University Hospital in a city center in Türkiye. Research data were collected with the Patient Information Form, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-II (HLBS-II), and Active Aging Scale (AAS). Descriptive statistics, Shapiro Wilk test, Student t-test, ANOVA, Tukey test, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the analysis of the data.

RESULTS

A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the individuals' HLBS-II and the total score of AAS, at a normal level (r = 0.569). The participating elderlies' Active Aging Scale total mean score was 132.01 ± 27.13, and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale-II total mean score was 154.96 ± 18.18. A significant negative correlation was found between age and the total score of the Active Aging Scale.

CONCLUSIONS

It was determined that healthy lifestyle behaviors contributed positively to the active aging of elderlies. Active aging is negatively affected with increasing age. For the elderly to have an active aging process, it is recommended to strengthen physical activity, nutrition, methods of coping with stress, and spiritual development as much as possible, and to organize applied training programs to protect and improve the health of the elderly and to increase their awareness.

Health-Promoting Behaviors, Physical Self-Efficacy, Exercise Adherence, and Sports Commitment Among Older Adults Who Participate in Sports Activities

OBJECTIVES

The Republic of Korea is progressively becoming a super-aged society, emphasizing the need for regular physical activity among older adults because it has physical, psychological, and social benefits. Recently, increasing depression and suicide rates have been reported among older adults living alone. However, research that considers older adults' living situations is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationship between health-promoting behaviors (HPB), physical self-efficacy (PSE), exercise adherence, and sports commitment among older adults aged ≥ 65 years who participated in sports activities and investigate the influence of their living situation.

METHODS

The participants were 452 individuals aged ≥ 65 who lived in the metropolitan areas of Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, and Gwangju Provinces, Republic of Korea, and who regularly participated in sports activities (men = 283, women = 169). This study was conducted from January to May 2024. Data were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire, and the collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and multi-group analysis.

RESULTS

Structural equation modeling showed that the research model was appropriate, and all five paths showed statistical significance. The identity of the model was verified in the multi-group analysis, but path coefficients differed between older adults living alone and those living with family members. HPB significantly affected PSE, exercise adherence, and sports commitment among both groups of older adults. However, the impact of PSE on exercise adherence and sports commitment was not statistically significant among older adults living alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the need to consider older adults' living situations when establishing regular physical activity. Efforts should also be made to promote regular exercise participation among older adults living alone.

The association among thriving in life, quality of life, and suicidal ideation in Chinese urban older adults: the moderating effects of attitude toward own aging

BACKGROUND

As the global trend of population aging intensifies, the health and well-being of the older population has gradually become a focus of attention for the global community. This study assessed the status of thriving in life among Chinese urban older adults and identified its relationship with attitude toward own aging and quality of life (QoL). It also tested whether attitude toward own aging moderates the association between thriving in life and Qol or between thriving in life and suicidal ideation.

METHODS

Primary data were collected through a cross-sectional survey among urban older adults from three provinces in China. They were invited to complete an anonymous survey using face-to-face interviews from December 2019 to January 2020. Data from 764 older adults were analyzed.

RESULTS

Approximately 44.39% of participants reported positive responses toward the four domains of thriving in life. Thriving in life and attitude toward own aging had a significant association with QoL. Thriving in life was a protective factor for suicidal ideation for older adults. Moreover, attitude toward own aging moderated the association between thriving in life and QoL and that between thriving in life and suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese urban older adults were reportedly thriving in life, which contributed to increased QoL and reduced suicidal ideation. Notably, the study revealed that more positive attitudes towards own aging were associated with higher levels of thriving in life, better QoL, and reduced suicidal ideation. Targeted interventions for older adults should be devised to promote thriving in life and prevent negative attitudes of older people towards their own aging, further raising QoL and reducing suicidal ideation.

Health Professionals' Experiences with Health-Promoting Dialogues for Older Home-Dwellers-A Qualitative Study

Home-dwelling older people without healthcare services might develop vulnerability and health-related issues that should be detected proactively by service providers. Health-promoting measures directed towards the target group could facilitate living longer and better at home, as well as delay the need for healthcare services. One approach is through health-promoting dialogues between the municipality and healthcare professionals. This study aims to explore the experiences of healthcare professionals involved in health-promoting dialogues with home-dwellers aged over 75 years without health service decisions in Norway. Data were collected through three focus groups. Thematic analysis was applied to the data resulting in the emergence of one major theme, "challenging dialogues", comprising three sub-themes: "promote the individual's perspectives", "uncovering vulnerability", and "ambiguity of the dialogues". The health-promoting dialogue uses a resource perspective for the elderly to remain independent in old age and can reveal vulnerability and underlying needs. The purpose of the dialogue appears ambiguous for the target group, which leads to unclear service expectations and frequent rejections of the offer. Nevertheless, this health-promoting service has a clear purpose of identifying and meeting the needs of the target group in a broader sense during the ageing process.

The Role of Place Attachment in the Relationship between Attitudes toward Aging and Subjective Well-Being among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Taiwan

Subjective well-being presents a societal challenge for vulnerable older adults. This study aims to investigate the mediating role of place attachment in the relationship between attitudes toward aging and subjective well-being among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. Two waves of investigations were conducted to examine the interplay between attitudes toward aging, subjective well-being, and place attachment among older adults. In Wave I, 1190 participants were enrolled, revealing predominantly younger cohorts with substantial educational levels. The subsequent Wave II involved 483 participants, maintaining continuity in characteristics. Subjective well-being remained moderate across waves, with prevalent positive attitudes toward aging. Place attachment scores indicated moderate to high associations. After controlling for demographics, structural equation modeling (SEM) in both waves revealed significant positive associations: attitudes toward aging influenced well-being, attitudes toward aging were positively associated with place attachment, and place attachment was positively related to well-being. Mediation testing confirmed the mediating role of place attachment in the relationship between attitudes toward aging and well-being. These findings underscore the important role of place attachment. It is evident that improving attitudes toward aging is an effective intervention which can lead to a better sense of well-being by enhancing place attachment to empower civil society.

Mediating Factors Associated With Physical Activity in Older Adults at Increased Dementia Risk

While regular physical-activity (PA) is beneficial, multimorbid individuals at increased dementia risk may exhibit reduced PA levels. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of mediating factors responsible for inactivity in this population is needed. This study investigated the impact of a multimodal intervention on PA changes at 24-month follow-up and associated mediating factors among community-dwelling patients aged 60-77, with increased dementia risk determined by the CAIDE Dementia Risk Score. Of 1030 participants recruited, 819 completed the assessment. Thus, a generalized estimating equations model initially assessed differences in PA over 24 months, followed by a tree analysis identifying mediating factors influencing PA changes post-intervention. While no significant effect on regular PA was found during the follow-up (P = .674), subgroup analysis revealed improved self-efficacy (P = .000) associated with increased engagement in PA. Incorporating self-efficacy elements into future strategies is crucial for promoting PA among individuals with multimorbidity and at increased dementia risk.

How to Age More Positively? Analyzing Determinants that Shape Attitudes Towards Aging

A considerable amount of research has illustrated that negative attitudes toward one’s own aging can directly hinder mental and physical well-being or lead to maladjustment in later stages of life (Swift et al. in Social Issues Policy Rev 11(1):195–231, https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12031, 2017). Research so far has focused on the analysis of individual factors related to attitudes toward aging, often related to personality traits. Our study proposes and tests a model of positive contact with aging (PCA). It analyses both individual and social antecedents of attitudes towards one’s own aging, hypothesizing that individual health self-efficacy directly affects attitudes towards one’s own aging and that the quality and quantity of contact with older adults indirectly impacts on attitudes towards one’s own aging through attitudes towards older adults. The model was tested in a wide sample of the Italian population (N = 753) with a varied age range. The PCA model tested showed excellent fit to the data, explaining a moderate amount of variance in attitudes toward one’s own aging (12%). This model promises to offer implications for active policies that can improve attitudes towards one’s own aging, promoting educational strategies to increase intergenerational exchanges and foster health-related self-efficacy.

Validity and Reliability of Persian Version of the 12-Item Expectations Regarding Aging Survey

Objective:The present study was designed to assess the construct validity and reliability of the Persian version of the 12-item Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA) survey among the older adult Iranian population. Methods: The Persian version of this scale was developed using translation and revision in the current study. The construct validity was assessed through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The reliability was assessed through internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega), composite reliability (CR), and maximal reliability (MaXR). The data compiled online was based on a sample of 400 older adults aged 65 years and older. Results: The Persian version includes 12 items loading onto three factors with 12 items explaining 46.633% of the total variance with excellent internal consistency and reliability. Conclusion: The Persian version of ERA is reliable and valid that can be used to assess the ERA concept among older adults.

The relationship between COVID-19 fear levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of elderly individuals: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

It is known that fear of COVID-19 is associated with many lifestyle behaviours including delays in access to healthcare services and smoking status. However, the relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviours and fear of COVID-19 in older individuals remains unclear. Therefore, there is a need for research that examines the relationship between healthy lifestyle behaviours and fear of COVID-19 in elderly individuals. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the COVID-19 fear levels of elderly individuals and their healthy lifestyle behaviours.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out with individuals at or over the age of 65 registered at a public health centre located in eastern Turkey (N = 494). Data collection tools included a form for descriptive variables and two scales, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19 S) and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Scale-II (HLSBS-II). Descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, ANOVA, correlation analyses, and hierarchical linear regression analyses were used in the analysis of the data.

RESULTS

The mean HLSBS-II and FCV-19 S scores of the participants were 127.61 ± 24.76 and 20.96 ± 7.29, respectively. While fear of COVID-19 alone, as indicated by the FCV-19 S score, explained 2.4% of the total variance in healthy lifestyle behaviours, fear of COVID-19, having a university degree, and high economic status together explained 7.5% of the total variance in healthy lifestyle behaviours indicated by scores on the HLSBS-II.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that fear of COVID-19 and healthy lifestyle behaviours were dynamics that are positively related, albeit to a small extent, to each other for elderly individuals. Additionally, it was revealed that elderly individuals have moderate levels of fear of COVID-19 and healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Salutogenic Healthy Ageing Programme Embracement (SHAPE)- an upstream health resource intervention for older adults living alone and with their spouses only: complex intervention development and pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

In view of age-related health concerns and resource vulnerabilities challenging older adults to age in place, upstream health resource interventions can inform older adults about the availability, accessibility, and utility of resources and equip them with better coping behaviours to maintain health and independence. This paper described the development process and evaluated the feasibility of an upstream health resource intervention, titled Salutogenic Healthy Ageing Programme Embracement (SHAPE), for older adults living alone or with spouses only.

METHODS

A pilot randomised controlled trial design was adopted. SHAPE was designed to equip older adults with resource information and personal conviction to cope with stressors of healthy aging. This 12-week intervention comprised 12 weekly structured group sessions, at least two individual home visits and a resource book. Both the intervention and control groups received usual care provided in the community. Feasibility of SHAPE intervention was evaluated using recruitment rate, intervention adherence, data collection completion rate, satisfaction survey and post-intervention interview. Outcome measures (sense of coherence, health-promoting lifestyle behaviours, quality of life, self-efficacy, and self-rated health) were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Paired t-tests were used to examine within-group changes in outcome measures. Content analysis was used to analysed qualitative data.

RESULTS

Thirty-four participants were recruited and randomised. While recruitment rate was low (8.9%), intervention adherence (93.75%) and data collection completion (100%) were high. Participants expressed high satisfaction towards SHAPE intervention and found it useful. Participants experienced mindset growth towards personal and ageing experiences, and they were more proactive in adopting healthful behaviours. Although the programme was tailored according to needs of older adults, it required refinement. Intention-to-treat analysis showed significant increase in overall health-promoting lifestyle behaviours, health responsibility, physical activity, spiritual growth, and stress management among intervention participants. However, they reported a significant drop in autonomy post-intervention.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this pilot trial suggested that with protocol modifications, SHAPE can be a feasible and beneficial health resource intervention for older adults. Modifications on recruitment strategies, eligibility criteria, selection of outcome measures, training of resource facilitators and strong collaboration bonds with community partners would be needed to increase feasibility robustness and scientific rigor of this complex intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered with clinicaltrials.gov on 10/05/2017. The trial registration number is NCT03147625.

A cross sectional survey on UK older adult’s attitudes to ageing, dementia and positive psychology attributes

Background

With an increasingly ageing population worldwide, the predominant attitude towards ageing is still negative. Negative stereotypes have detrimental effects on individuals’ physical and mental health. Evidence is required about factors that may predict and change these views. This study aimed to investigate if an older person’s attitude towards dementia, their belief in a just world and sense of coherence is associated with their attitudes to ageing.

Methods

A 25-min online survey was completed by 2,675 participants aged 50 or over who were current residents of the United Kingdom (UK). Questions included demographics, overall health, dementia carer, dementia relative status and retirement status. Standardised scales used were the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ), Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS), Just World Scale (JWS) and Sense of Coherence Scale-13 (SOC). Data was analysed with descriptive, two-tailed bivariate Pearson’s correlations, simple, and hierarchical regression analyses.

Results

Attitudes to dementia, just world beliefs, and sense of coherence were all significantly positively correlated with AAQ-Total, with SOC sub-scale “Meaningfulness” showing the strongest correlation. In a hierarchical regression model, higher scores on SOC-Meaningfulness, DAS-Total and belief in a just world for oneself all predicted more positive attitudes to ageing.

Conclusions

The more positive an individual’s attitude to dementia and the stronger they hold the belief that the world is just and coherent, the more likely they are to display positive attitudes to ageing. This initial evidence helps create a greater understanding of the factors that drive attitudes and stigma and may have implications for public health messaging.

The Relationship Between Health-Promoting Behaviors and Socio-demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Diabetes

Aim: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between health-promoting attitudes and socio-demographic and the clinical characteristics of patients with diabetes. Method: The study sample comprised a total of 267 patients with diabetes mellitus aged 18 years and older, who had previously been diagnosed as Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes mellitus for at least 6 months, who had no gestational diabetes mellitus and who had presented to the Internal Diseases Outpatient Clinic in Kocaeli between June-September 2015. Collection of the data were realized by the researchers through face-to-face interviews using the “Patient Information Form” and the “Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II”. The validity-reliability study of the scale for the Turkish population was carried out by Bahar et al. The scale comprises six factors including health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations and stress management. Results: The patients scored highest in the interpersonal relations and scored lowest in the physical activity factors. Patients who were aged between 18-44 years, those who were high school graduates, those who were retired, those who had a well-balanced income and those with no additional chronic disease had higher scores in Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II compared to others. We found that the health-promoting attitudes were not affected by the duration of diabetes mellitus, body mass index or the presence of diabetes in the family. Conclusion: We determined that healthy lifestyle attitudes were demonstrated moderately by the patients with diabetes mellitus, and these attitudes were found to be associated with socio-demographic and clinical variables such as patient’s age, education status, diabetes type and presence of diabetes complications.

Attitudes and Beliefs on Aging Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Serious Mental Illness

Older adults with serious mental illness (SMI) experience increased medical comorbidities, disability, and early mortality, but little is known about how they perceive the process of aging. This study explored attitudes and beliefs about aging among n = 20 middle aged and older adults (M = 59.8 years; range 47-66) with SMI in a state psychiatric hospital. We conducted semistructured interviews using the Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (AAQ) and analyzed narrative accounts using a grounded theory approach. The mean scores of overall attitudes toward aging and of the subscale of perception of psychological growth were both positive compared to a neutral rating (p = 0.026 and p = 0.004, respectively). Study participants rated their experience on the subscales of psychosocial loss and physical health change as neutral. Despite substantial psychiatric, medical, and functional disabilities, older adults with SMI in this study of psychiatric inpatients perceived the process of aging as generally positive, suggesting resilience and potential positive emotional growth in older age.

Dignity and attitudes to aging: A cross-sectional study of older adults

Background: Dignity is a multidimensional construct that includes perception, knowledge, and emotions related to competence or respect. Attitudes to aging are a comprehensive personal view of the experience of aging over the course of life, which can be influenced by various factors, such as the levels of health and self-sufficiency and social, psychological, or demographic factors. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes to aging of home-dwelling and inpatient older adults, and whether dignity and other selected factors belong among the predictors influencing attitudes to aging in these two different groups of older adults. Research design: Cross-sectional study using a set of questionnaires: Patient Dignity Inventory, Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire, and Barthel Index. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses and multivariable linear regression were used for statistical processing. Participants and research context: 233 inpatients and 237 home-dwelling older adults participated in the research in two regions of the Czech Republic. Ethical considerations: Institutional Review Board approval was received from the authors’ university. Findings: The inpatients had more negative attitudes to aging (M = 74.9±10.9; P <0.0001). The predictors of their attitudes to aging were gender and dignity. Women (β = −2.969, P = 0.045) and inpatients with poor dignity ratings (β = −0.332, P <0.0001) had more negative attitudes to aging. The predictors for home-dwelling older adults were education, living arrangement, and dignity. More negative attitudes to aging were found in older adults with lower levels of education (β = 2.716, P = 0.007) who lived alone (β = 2.163, P = 0.046) and rated their dignity as low (β = −0.325, P <0.0001). Discussion and Conclusions: The results of this study add to the understanding that a sense of dignity is an important predictor of attitudes to aging for both home-dwelling older adults and inpatients.

Attitudes toward aging and loneliness among older adults: A mixed methods study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively investigate attitudes toward aging and loneliness in Turkish older adults living at a nursing home (n = 110).

DESIGN AND METHODS

A convergent mixed methods design was used. Data were collected using Europe-attitudes to aging questionnaire (AAQ) and De Jong Gierveld loneliness scale (DJGLS); and through semi structured interviews.

FINDINGS

The participants obtained mean scores of 19.98 ± 3.0 on the DJGLS and 71.84 ± 7.7 on the AAQ.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Healthcare professionals should improve their awareness about nursing home-dwelling older adults' attitudes toward aging and their experiences of loneliness so that they are better informed to address these issues and develop appropriate interventions that foster adaptive coping strategies.

Attitude toward Aging Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health in Older Adults

This study aimed to examine attitude toward aging as a potential mediator of the relationship between personality factors and mental health in terms of depression and life satisfaction among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 Ethiopian elderly individuals aged 60 to 69. The results of the regression-based path analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic data, the relationship between agreeableness and depression in older adults was partially mediated by attitude toward aging. Likewise, attitude toward physical change due to aging and psychological growth subscales jointly mediated the correlation between neuroticism and depression. However, a significant direct path between neuroticism and depression persisted. On the contrary, openness had no significant direct association with depression apart from an indirect through psychosocial loss. The link between life satisfaction and agreeableness as well as openness to experience were partially mediated by psychosocial loss. Therefore, a person’s attitude toward aging and personality characteristics should be taken into consideration while designing interventions for managing mental health issues among older adults.

Health Promoting Behaviors, Health Needs and Associated Factors among Older Adults in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Several factors affect older adults' engagement in HPBs. This study aimed to examine HPBs, health needs, and associated factors among older adults in Jordan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 older adults at one governmental and one university hospital, which were selected using convenience sampling for geographical closeness to the researchers. All older adults with no cognitive or communication problems who attended the outpatient clinics of the two hospitals from December 2018 to April 2019 were included in the study. This time period was chosen based on the convenience of the participants and researchers. Data were collected by An Arabic version of the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) and a demographic questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 25.0 software was used for the descriptive and inferential analysis of the study data. The level of significance was set at P<0.05.

RESULTS

The mean score of the total HPLP was 125.33±19.09. The marital status and educational level of the participants were associated with the total HPLP (P<0.001) in all its dimensions, except for the dimension of interpersonal relations. Participants with chronic diseases had lower scores than those without diseases for the total HPLP (P<0.001) in all the six dimensions. Family income was positively correlated with the dimensions of nutrition (P=0.007) and exercise (P=0.002).

CONCLUSION

Despite the good overall mean score of older adults for total HPLP and some of its subscales, their levels of exercise and physical activity need to be promoted. The scores of older adults were related to various demographic and clinical factors.

The differences in self-perceptions of aging, health-related quality of life and their association between urban and rural Chinese older hypertensive patients

Background

Most hypertensive clients are elderly, whose health-related quality of life (HRQL) may be associated with self-perceptions of aging (older individuals’ beliefs about their own aging). Meanwhile, culture and health disparities between rural and urban populations are substantial. Whether there are differences in self-perceptions of aging, HRQL, and their association among elderly hypertensive clients in urban and rural areas remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare self-perceptions of aging and HRQL and their association among urban and rural older Chinese hypertensive clients.

Methods

A cross-sectional investigation was conducted in 15 urban community clinics and 22 village clinics from Suzhou, China. Older hypertensive adults were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire addressing socio-demographic and clinical information, HRQL and self-perceptions of aging.

Results

There were 492 urban participants and 537 rural participants included in the analyses. The physical (40.0 ± 12.1 vs. 30.9 ± 8.9, P <  0.001) and mental (51.5 ± 8.3 vs. 46.0 ± 7.8, P <  0.001) HRQL scores of urban participants were all higher than those of rural ones. Urban participants’ scores on dimensions of “timeline cyclical”, “consequences negative”, and “control negative” of self-perceptions of aging questionnaire (APQ) were lower than those of rural participants (P <  0.001, respectively), while the scores on dimensions of “consequences positive” and “control positive” were higher (P <  0.001, respectively). Adjusted multivariate linear regression showed that participants who had worse self-perceptions of aging had poorer HRQL. Some APQ dimensions associated with urban or rural hypertensive elders’ HRQL were different.

Conclusions

Older hypertensive clients in rural areas have poorer self-perceptions of aging and HRQL than those in urban areas. Health care professionals should pay more attention to HRQL and self-perceptions of aging of older hypertensive clients in rural areas.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Geriatric Health Promotion scale

BACKGROUND

A measure for healthy lifestyle behaviours of older adults would enable the development of effective and target-based health promotion strategies.

AIM

This study aimed to test the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of Geriatric Health Promotion scale among older people in Turkey.

DESIGN

This was a methodological study that was conducted between June and August 2018.

METHODS

A total of 321 volunteer older individuals, who were admitted to local health centres, participated in this study. A questionnaire, including sociodemographic data form, and the Geriatric Health Promotion scale were used to collect data. Content and construct validity was established using validity analyses.

RESULTS

The reliability of the scale was confirmed by its internal consistency (α = .82) and test-retest reliability (0.86). Exploratory factor analysis for the six-factor construct explained 64.7% of the total variance. Factor loads of each item ranged from 0.44 and 0.91. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the theoretical constructs had a perfect fit with data obtained. These data establish that the Turkish version of the Geriatric Health Promotion scale was valid and reliable.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the Geriatric Health Promotion scale is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used in the evaluation of health-promoting behaviours among older individuals.

Social networks, health-promoting behaviors, and health-related quality of life in older adults with and without arthritis

The purpose of this secondary analysis study was to compare social networks, health-promoting behaviors, and health-related quality of life of South Korean adults, aged 65 years or older, with and without arthritis, and to identify factors that are related to health-related quality of life. The sample consisted of 103 adults with arthritis and 123 adults without arthritis. Data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance, χ²-test, Pearson’s correlation, and multiple regression analysis. All variables except age and religion showed statistically significant differences between older adults with and without arthritis. The group with arthritis reported lower scores on social networks, health-promoting behaviors, and health-related quality of life compared to the healthy group without arthritis. Analyzed using multiple regression, 43.8% of the older adults with arthritis had the factors related to health-related quality of life (F = 40.71, p < .001) including exercise (β = .43, p < .001) and living with someone (β = .32, p = .001). In the group of older adults without arthritis, 26.2% had the factors related to health-related quality of life (F = 15.44, p < .001) including exercise (β = .31, p = .001), social gatherings, and employment status. Exercise was one of the factors that showed the strongest relationship to health-related quality of life. The provision of resources that can enable an individual to engage in physical activities is warranted.

Attitudes to ageing and their relationship with quality of life in older adults in Turkey

AIM

With the increase in life expectancy, it has become necessary to expand our knowledge of how older individuals perceive their own ageing and how ageing affects their quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine older adults' attitudes towards ageing and the relationship between attitudes and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in Turkey.

METHODS

This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted in Zonguldak, Turkey. The sample included 999 community-dwelling older adults, who were selected from five family health centres. The data were collected between April and June 2015 by using the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the predictive value of attitude to ageing on quality of life.

RESULTS

Multiple regression analysis revealed that the subscales of Attitudes to Ageing Questionnaire (psychosocial loss (β = -0.289), physical change (β = 0.296), and psychological growth (β = 0.279)) were statistically significant predictors of quality of life. Attitudes to ageing explained 46.6% of the quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in Turkey (R²  = 0.466).

CONCLUSION

The significant impact of attitudes to ageing on quality of life suggests the need for better recognition of attitudes to ageing in older adults.