No open-access location is known for this record yet.
No open-access location is known for this record yet.
Despite extensive research using Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful aging, its application to representative national samples is rare. Longitudinal research permitting analysis of transitions to non-successful aging (NSA) over time at the individual level also is lacking. We apply event history analysis to 8 waves (2-year intervals from 1998–2012) of representative data for 11,346 individuals ages 50 and older from the Health and Retirement Study in the U.S. to examine influences on the transition into NSA. We extend prior research by considering the impact of factors present at birth (e.g., race, place of birth), as well as time-varying adult statuses (e.g, education, income) and lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking). Significant predictors of NSA include age and parents’ longevity. Though the results also reveal that NSA is accelerated for Blacks, Hispanics, females, and those born in the Southern U.S., both race and ethnicity become insignificant once adult status factors and lifestyle variables are considered. High BMI and smoking positively influence transitions to NSA, while higher education and income delay NSA. Also examined are components of successful aging that are most often implicated in NSA transitions at distinct ages. For persons transitioning to NSA between ages 50 and 69, mobility problems and chronic disease are the most common NSA dimensions reported. But, for persons transitioning to NSA from age 70 on, lack of productive engagement is the most common dimension, followed by mobility problems and chronic illness. Implications of all of these findings for interventions promoting successful aging are addressed.
Loading…
Imported from OpenAlex (CC0) — nothing here is generated.