Perceptions of successful aging in Black older adults

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2011 Jan;49(1):28-34. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20101201-01. Epub 2010 Dec 22.

Abstract

Successful aging is important; however, there is a lack of knowledge on how to promote successful aging in Black older adults. In this study, which examined Black older adults' perceptions of successful aging, a cross-sectional descriptive design was used to examine the psychometric properties of the Successful Aging Inventory and qualitative characteristics of successful aging in 100 Black older adults. The participants' responses to an open-ended question, "What does successful aging mean to you?" revealed relevant aspects of successful aging. Six broad categories emerged: Independence/Ability, Health, Mindset, Activity/Service, Family, and Spirituality. These categories suggest foci for potential interventions to promote successful aging in Black older adults.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Attitude to Health / ethnology*
  • Black or African American / ethnology*
  • Chronic Disease / ethnology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Family / ethnology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • North Carolina
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Personal Satisfaction*
  • Psychological Theory
  • Psychometrics
  • Qualitative Research
  • Spirituality
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*