Abstract

CUPERTINO, Ana Paula Fabrino Bretas; ROSA, Fernanda Heringer Moreira  and  RIBEIRO, Pricila Cristina Correa. Successful aging definition in a sample of older adults. Psicol. Reflex. Crit. [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.1, pp. 81-86. ISSN 0102-7972.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-79722007000100011.

The process of aging is defined as a multidimensional process (Baltes e Baltes, 1990). Rowe and Kahn (1998) present three indicators of successful aging: low risk of disease and disease-related disabilities; high level of mental and physical functions and an active life style. Based on these presumptions, this article presents a research that examined the definition of successful aging from a sample of older adults, seeking to identify the multiple dimensions perceived by them. The sample consisted of 501 older adults between 60 to 93 years old (M=72,65; SD= 8,08). Content analysis of their answers to what successful aging means identified 29 possible categories. The most cited definitions for successful aging were: physical health, social health and emotional health. On the other hand, the least cited answers were: a life of work; aging as a pathological process and specific activities for older adults. In conclusion, this study confirmed the presumptions of heterogeneity and multidimensionality of aging, by observing the various definitions from older adults.

Keywords : Successful aging; qualitative analysis; multidimensionality.