Introduction

Positive psychology’s main focus, in essence, is individual well-being and optimal functioning (Bar-Tur, 2021). Positive ageing aims to look at ageing through the lens of mental and physical health, how to age ‘successfully’ and how to view ageing as something positive and inevitable rather than intimidating (Depp & Jeste, 2006).

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Positive Ageing

The goal of positive ageing within psychology is to encourage individuals to be more cognizant of their inner resources in order to shine light on and enhance their optimal physical and cognitive qualities. By focusing on positive ageing, whilst young and later in life, can help us live a more fulfilling life now but also may influence the effects ageing has on our bodies and mind (Kim & Strecher, 2014).

 

How we age could be dependent on how we perceive our life. The most promising aspect of positive psychology is that these positive interventions can have a beneficial effect in all ages or at any stage of life. Education on positive ageing is an ever-growing theme. It is such an important topic as taking preventive steps early in life will encourage one to take better care of their body and their mind, this can help by eliminating various effects of aging that could have presented later in life (Pandey & Garg, 2021).

 

 

Positive Ageing & Longevity

The key to living a healthier and longer life could be held in the way one perceives their aging experience. A study conducted by Dr Rachel Pruchno displayed tangible evidence for this statement. The study looked at the connection between successful aging (SSA) and risk of mortality within nine years. The study running from 2006 to 2008 on participants aged 50 years-74 years consisted of 5,483 participants found that every one-point rise in SSA decreased the risk of mortality by 3 percent for participants. The study found that individuals with low SSA (between 0 and 5), had a 45 percent chance of dying within nine years, whilst those with high scores (between 25 and 30) had less than a 10 percent chance of dying within the same period. This study is monumental in our understanding of how perception of ageing can be a powerful predictor of mortality and the experience of ageing in general (Pruchno, 2010).

 

Erikson’s theory states that successful aging requires an “evaluation of one’s life as having been fulfilling and satisfying” (Martin et al., 2015). Havighurst’s theory revolved around the idea that aging is either active or disengaging. Active meaning an individual will carry over activities and attitudes from middle age into later life. Disengaged means the individual desires to remove themselves from an active and engaged life. Rowe and Kahn’s three-factor model focuses on freedom from disease, staying cognitively and physically adept and social engagement (Foster & Walker, 2015).

 

The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) has earned international attention for its in depth research and plentiful data. A 2016 study shared by their researchers found that older adults with negative attitudes towards ageing exhibited slower walking speed and decreased cognitive abilities two years later, compared to older adults with positive attitudes towards aging.

 

 

Positive Ageing Theories

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Disengagement Theory

Elaine Cumming and William E. Henry (1961) first proposed the disengagement theory. The theory states that as we age we remove ourselves from social interactions.

 

Cumming and Henry’s (1961) theory includes 9 beliefs. Some of the most relevant are:

 

1. Everyone expects death.

2. The ego evolves as it ages.

3. Disengagement can occur if people lose their roles.

4. Readiness equates to societal permission.

5. Relational rewards become more diverse

   4. This theory is independent of culture.
 

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The Activity Theory

The Activity Theory, developed in 1961 by Robert Havighurst notes that individuals who engage in daily activities, that are perceived as productive, age successfully. This theory brings hope as it can by applied to anyone at any age or life stage. People are happier when engaged in activities they love to do and activities that bring them worth and productivity.

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Continuity Theory

Continuity theory is one’s ability to maintain and uphold their habits, preferences, lifestyle, and relationships as they age. This is imperative for happiness and longevity. The theory circulates on the idea that people will find benefit in keeping strong continuity between who they were and who they’re becoming.

 

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Current Definitions Worldwide for Positive Ageing

 

Australia

“The process of maintaining a positive attitude, feeling good about yourself, keeping fit and healthy, and engaging fully in life as you age” (Positive Psychology Institute, n.d.).

 

New Zealand

“Positive aging reflects the attitudes and experiences older people have about themselves and how younger generations view the process of aging. It takes into account the health, financial security, independence, self-fulfillment, personal safety and living environment of older New Zealanders” (Ministry of Social Development, 2001).

 

The U.S.

“Successful aging is multidimensional, encompassing the avoidance of disease and disability, the maintenance of high physical and cognitive function, and sustained engagement in social and productive activities” (Rowe & Kahn, 1997).

 

World Health Organization (WHO)

“The process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age” (WHO, 2020).

 

Japan

“Japanese conceptions of aging are rooted in Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist philosophical traditions that characterize aging as maturity. Old age is thus understood as a socially valuable part of life, even a time of “spring” or “rebirth” after a busy period of working and raising children” (Karasawa et al., 2011).

 

China

“The criteria are sufficiently inclusive, encompassing physical health, mental health, social engagement, and nutritional status, which in principle are in conformity with both the WHO definition and the Rowe and Kahn model” (Zhou, Liu, & Yu, 2018; referencing the Chinese health criteria for the elderly).

 

Eastern Europe

“Active aging is concerned with facilitating the rights of older people to remain healthy (reducing the costs of health and social care), remain in employment longer (reducing pension costs), while also participating in community and political life” (Foster & Walker, 2015).

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Additional Positive Ageing Resources

 

You can also check out the Blog Page for more resources with links.

 

• The Happiness India Project (HIP)

• Cultural perspectives on aging and well-being: A comparison of Japan and the U.S. 

• Ageing in the Middle East and North Africa: Towards a new model of care.

• Johnson and Mutchler (2014) The emergence of a positive gerontology: From disengagement to social involvement.

 

 

 

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Image from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Fig-1-The-Rowe-and-Kahns-successful-aging-model-in-1997-A-higher-resolution_fig1_336867288

 

 

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Image from: https://www.osfhealthcare.org/blog/tips-for-staying-healthy-as-you-age

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Depp AC, Jeste DV. ‘Definitions and predictors of successful aging: a comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies. J Geriatr Psychiatry. (2006) 14:6–20. doi: 10.1097/01.JGP.0000192501.03069.bc

 

Foster, L., & Walker, A. (2015). Active and successful aging: A European policy perspective. The Gerontologist, 55(1), 83-90.

 

Havighurst, R. J. (1961). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 1(1), 8-13.

 

Karasawa, M., Curhan, K. B., Markus, H. R., Kitayama, S. S., Love, G. D., Radler, B. T., & Ryff, C. D. (2011). Cultural perspectives on aging and well-being: A comparison of Japan and the United States. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 73(1), 73-98.

 

Kim ES, Strecher VJ, Ryff CD. Purpose in life and use of preventive health care services. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. (2014) 111:16331–6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1414826111

 

Pandey, J. M., & Garg, S. (2021). Positive psychology and aging. In Research anthology on rehabilitation practices and therapy: Concepts, methodologies, tools, and applications (pp. 35–50). Medical Information Science Reference/IGI Global.

 

Pruchno, R. A., Wilson-Genderson, M., & Cartwright, F. (2010). A two-factor model of successful aging. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 65(6), 671–679. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbq051

 

Robertson, D. A., & Kenny, R. A. (2016). Negative perceptions of aging modify the association between frailty and cognitive function in older adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 100, 120-125.

 

Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433-440.

 

 

The Royal Society for Public Health. (n.d.). That age old question. Retrieved from https://www.rsph.org.uk/uploads/assets/uploaded/a01e3aa7-9356-40bc-99c81b14dd904a41.pdf

 

World Health Organization (WHO). (2005). The health for all policy framework for the WHO European region: 2005 Update. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Office for Europe.

 

World Health Organization (WHO). (2016, September 29). Discrimination and negative attitudes about ageing are bad for your health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/en/news-room/detail/29-09-2016-discrimination-and-negative-attitudes-about-ageing-are-bad-for-your-health

 

World Health Organization (WHO). (2020, October 26). Ageing: Healthy ageing and functional ability. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/q-a-detail/ageing-healthy-ageing-and-functional-ability.

 

Zhou, B., Liu, X., & Yu, P. (2018). Toward successful aging: The Chinese health criteria for the elderly. Aging Medicine, 1(2), 154-157.