Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care

Abstract Background Due to the aging of the population, the promotion of healthy aging is an important part of public health. Healthy aging of the population can be influenced by the attitudes of the elderly themselves towards old age and aging. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to find out...

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Main Authors: Radka Bužgová, Radka Kozáková, Katka Bobčíková
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-03-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04840-6
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author Radka Bužgová
Radka Kozáková
Katka Bobčíková
author_facet Radka Bužgová
Radka Kozáková
Katka Bobčíková
author_sort Radka Bužgová
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Due to the aging of the population, the promotion of healthy aging is an important part of public health. Healthy aging of the population can be influenced by the attitudes of the elderly themselves towards old age and aging. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to find out the attitudes of older people living in a community environment toward old age and the predictors that influence these attitudes. Methods The evaluation of attitudes towards old age using the WHO AAQ (Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire) questionnaire involved 1,174 elderly people living in the community. Age, sex, marital status, education, subjective health assessment, social support, depression (GDS-15), anxiety (GAI), sense of coherence (SOC-13) and self-esteem (RSES) were used to evaluate related factors. Results As part of the exploratory factor analysis, a three-factor model (Psychosocial Loss, Physical Change, and Psychological Growth) was confirmed. The Cronbach alpha was found to be acceptable (α = 0.835). The predictors of better AAQ in the Psychological Loss domain were: subjective health, age, quality of life, self-esteem, sense of coherence, life satisfaction, anxiety, and social support; in the Physical Change domain: subjective health, quality of life, self-esteem, life satisfaction, cohabitation, and depression; and in the Psychological Growth domain: age, self-esteem, sense of coherence, life satisfaction, and social support. Conclusion Preventive and policy measures should aim to increase the satisfaction and self-assessment of the elderly, which can help them evaluate the period of old age more positively. It is also important to create a positive perspective of ageing and elderly in society.
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spelling doaj.art-31ff4d7fa6bc4222a36cb5df89f2e3712024-03-24T12:33:18ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182024-03-0124111010.1186/s12877-024-04840-6Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community careRadka Bužgová0Radka Kozáková1Katka Bobčíková2Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of OstravaDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of OstravaDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of OstravaAbstract Background Due to the aging of the population, the promotion of healthy aging is an important part of public health. Healthy aging of the population can be influenced by the attitudes of the elderly themselves towards old age and aging. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to find out the attitudes of older people living in a community environment toward old age and the predictors that influence these attitudes. Methods The evaluation of attitudes towards old age using the WHO AAQ (Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire) questionnaire involved 1,174 elderly people living in the community. Age, sex, marital status, education, subjective health assessment, social support, depression (GDS-15), anxiety (GAI), sense of coherence (SOC-13) and self-esteem (RSES) were used to evaluate related factors. Results As part of the exploratory factor analysis, a three-factor model (Psychosocial Loss, Physical Change, and Psychological Growth) was confirmed. The Cronbach alpha was found to be acceptable (α = 0.835). The predictors of better AAQ in the Psychological Loss domain were: subjective health, age, quality of life, self-esteem, sense of coherence, life satisfaction, anxiety, and social support; in the Physical Change domain: subjective health, quality of life, self-esteem, life satisfaction, cohabitation, and depression; and in the Psychological Growth domain: age, self-esteem, sense of coherence, life satisfaction, and social support. Conclusion Preventive and policy measures should aim to increase the satisfaction and self-assessment of the elderly, which can help them evaluate the period of old age more positively. It is also important to create a positive perspective of ageing and elderly in society.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04840-6Older peopleAgingAttitudesQuality of life
spellingShingle Radka Bužgová
Radka Kozáková
Katka Bobčíková
Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
BMC Geriatrics
Older people
Aging
Attitudes
Quality of life
title Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
title_full Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
title_fullStr Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
title_full_unstemmed Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
title_short Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
title_sort predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care
topic Older people
Aging
Attitudes
Quality of life
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04840-6
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