Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Factors Promoting Successful Aging in Turkish Older Adults: Self Compassion, Psychological Resilience, and Attitudes towards Aging

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Happiness Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article explicates the factors promoting successful aging and greater psychological wellbeing in the last course of human life. We explored self-compassion, successful aging and wellbeing outcomes in 264 individuals aged 60–96 years (M = 70) residing in Turkey. The major finding of the study is that self-compassion, resilience, perceived psychological and physiological health and age predicted successful aging. The results of the path analysis showed that self-compassion and resilience mediated the effect of attitude towards aging and satisfaction with life on successful aging. The implications of the study are beneficial to policy makers, social work practitioners, clinicians and researchers creating preventative measures and long term solutions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akın, U., Akın, A., & Abacı, R. (2007). Self-compassion Scale: The study of validity and reliability. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 33, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, A. B., Goldwasser, E. R., & Leary, M. R. (2012). Self-compassion and well-being among older adults. Self and Identity, 11(4), 428–453. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2011.595082.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arslan, G. (2015). Yetişkin psikolojik sağlamlık ölçeği’nin (YPSÖ) psikometrik özellikleri: Geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. [Psychometric properties of adult resilience scale: Reliability and validity Study] Ege Eğitim Dergisi, 2(16), 344–357.

  • Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In Baltes, P. B. and Baltes, M. M. (Eds.), Successful Aging. Perspectives from the Behavioural Sciences (p. 1–34). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  • Barnard, L. K., & Curry, J. F. (2011). Self-compassion: Conceptualizations, correlates, & interventions. Review of General Psychology, 15(4), 289–303. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0025754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beard, J. R., Officer, A., De Carvalho, I. A., Sadana, R., Pot, A. M., Michel, J. P., Lloyd-Sherlock, P., Epping-Jordan, J.-E., Geeske Peeters, G.M.E.E., Mahanani, W.R., Thiyagaraja, & J.A., Chatterji, S (2016). The World report on ageing and health: a policy framework for healthy ageing. The Lancet, 387(10033), 2145–2154. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00516-4.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtson, V. L., Reedy, M. N., & Gordon, C. (1985). Aging and self-conceptions: Personality processes and social contexts. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of Psychology of Aging. (pp. 544–593). Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.

  • Bowling, A. (2007). Aspirations for older age in the 21st century: What is successful aging? The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 64(3), 263–297. https://doi.org/10.2190/L0K1-87W4-9R01-7127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brion, J. M., Leary, M. R., & Drabkin, A. S. (2014). Self-compassion and reactions to serious illness: The case of HIV. Journal of Health Psychology, 19(2), 218–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105312467391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Britton, A., Shipley, M., Singh-Manoux, A., & Marmot, M. G. (2008). Successful aging: The contribution of early-life and midlife risk factors. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 56(6), 1098–1105. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.01740.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, L., Bryant, C., Brown, V., Bei, B., & Judd, F. (2016). Self-compassion, attitudes to ageing and indicators of health and well-being among midlife women. Aging & Mental Health, 20(10), 1035–1043. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2015.1060946.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, C., Bei, B., Gilson, K., Komiti, A., Jackson, H., & Judd, F. (2012). The relationship between attitudes to aging and physical and mental health in older adults. International Psychogeriatrics, 24(10), 1674–1683. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610212000774.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Depp, C. A., & Jeste, D. V. (2006). Definitions and predictors of successful aging: a comprehensive review of larger quantitative studies. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(1), 6–20. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.JGP.0000192501.03069.bc.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., & Chan, M. Y. (2011). Happy people live longer: Subjective well-being contributes to health and longevity. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 3(1), 1–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. D., Emmons, R. A., Larsen, R. J., & Griffin, S. (1985). The satisfaction with life scale. Journal of Personality Assessment, 49(1), 71–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Durak, M., Senol-Durak, E., & Gencoz, T. (2010). Psychometric properties of the satisfaction with life scale among Turkish university students, correctional officers, and elderly adults. Social Indicators Research, 99(3), 413–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Ballesteros, R. G., Zamarrón, M. C., López, M. B., Molina, M. M., Díez, J. N., Montero, P. L., & del Moral Schettini, R. (2010). Successful aging: Criteria and predictors. Psicothema, 22(4), 641–647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fontes, A. P., & Neri, A. L. (2015). Resilience in aging: literature review. Ciencia & Saude Coletiva, 20, 1475–1495. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232015205.00502014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freund, A. M., & Riediger, M. (2003). Successful aging. In R. M. Lerner, M. A. Easterbrooks, & J. Mistry (Eds.), Handbook of psychology. (pp. 601–628). Wiley.

  • Gilbert, P., & Procter, S. (2006). Compassionate mind training for people with high shame and self-criticism: Overview and pilot study of a group therapy approach. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy: An International Journal of Theory & Practice, 13(6), 353–379. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gwozdz, W., & Sousa-Poza, A. (2010). Ageing, health and life satisfaction of the oldest old: An analysis for Germany. Social Indicators Research, 97(3), 397–417. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-009-9508-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hazer, O. & Özsungur, F. (2017). Başarılı Yaşlanma Ölçeği (BYÖ) Türkçe Versiyonu[Turkish version of successful aging scale]. International Journal of Education Technology and Scientific Researches, 2(4), 184–206.

    Google Scholar 

  • Idler, E. L., & Benyamini, Y. (1997). Self-rated health and mortality: a review of twenty-seven community studies. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21–37.

  • Ingrand, I., Paccalin, M., Liuu, E., Gil, R., & Ingrand, P. (2018). Positive perception of aging is a key predictor of quality-of-life in aging people. PloS One13(10). doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0204044

  • Jeste, D. V., Savla, G. N., Thompson, W. K., Vahia, I. V., Glorioso, D. K., Martin, A. V. S., Palmer, B. W., Rock, D., Golshan, S., Kraemer, H. C., & Depp, C. A. (2013). Association between older age and more successful aging: critical role of resilience and depression. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(2), 188–196. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12030386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Köker, S. (1991). Normal ve sorunlu ergenlerde yaşam doyumu düzeyinin karşılaştırılması.[The comparison of life satisfaction levels in normal and troubled adolescents].Unpublished Master’s Thesis. Ankara: Ankara Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü,

  • Lavretsky, H. (2014). Resilience and aging: Research and practice. JHU Press.

  • Leary, M. R., Tate, E. B., Adams, C. E., Batts Allen, A., & Hancock, J. (2007). Self-compassion and reactions to unpleasant self-relevant events: The implications of treating oneself kindly. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(5), 887–904. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.5.887.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levy, B. R., Slade, M. D., Kunkel, S. R., & Kasl, S. V. (2002). Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 83(2), 261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod, S., Musich, S., Hawkins, K., Alsgaard, K., & Wicker, E. R. (2016). The impact of resilience among older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 37(4), 266–272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.02.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, S. J., Connell, C. M., Heeringa, S. G., Li, L. W., & Roberts, J. S. (2010). Successful aging in the United States: Prevalence estimates from a national sample of older adults. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 65(2), 216–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D. (2003a). The development and validation of a scale to measure self-compassion. Self and Identity, 2(3), 223–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. (2003b). Self-compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity, 2(2), 85–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298860309032.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D., & Beretvas, S. N. (2013). The role of self-compassion in romantic relationships. Self and Identity, 12(1), 78–98. https://doi.org/10.1080/15298868.2011.639548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neff, K. D., Kirkpatrick, K. L., & Rude, S. S. (2007). Self-compassion and adaptive psychological functioning. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2006.03.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otrar, M. (2016). Yaşlılık ve Yaşlanmaya İlişkin Tutum Ölçeği: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması. İstanbul Üniversitesi Sosyoloji Dergisi, 36(2), 527–550.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phelan, E. A., Anderson, L. A., Lacroix, A. Z., & Larson, E. B. (2004). Older adults’ views of “successful aging”—how do they compare with researchers’ definitions? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52(2), 211–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, W. J., & Ferguson, S. J. (2013). Self-compassion: A resource for positive aging. Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 68(4), 529–539. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbs091.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, K. M., Laidlaw, K., & Murray, L. K. (2009). Older peoples’ attitudes to mental illness. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy: An International Journal of Theory & Practice, 16(1), 33–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reker, G. T. (2009). A Brief Manual of the Successful Aging Scale (SAS). https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.4238.720.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Riediger, M., Li, S. C., & Lindenberger, U. (2006). Selection, optimization, and compensation as developmental mechanisms of adaptive resource allocation: Review and preview. In J. E. Birren & K. W. Schaie (Eds.), Handbook of the psychology of aging. (pp. 289–313). Elseiver.

  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1987). Human aging: usual and successful. Science, 237(4811), 143–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997a). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37(4), 433–440. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/37.4.433.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997b). Successful aging. Pantheon Books.

  • Rubinstein, R. L., & de Medeiros, K. (2015). “Successful aging”, gerontological theory and neoliberalism: A qualitative critique. The Gerontologist, 55(1), 34–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, A. N. (1974). Staff development and morale building in nursing homes. The Gerontologist, 14(1), 50–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J., Borchelt, M., Maier, H., & Jopp, D. (2002). Health and well–being in the young old and oldest old. Journal of Social Issues, 58(4), 715–732. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-4560.00286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tkatch, R., Musich, S., MacLeod, S., Kraemer, S., Hawkins, K., Wicker, E. R., & Armstrong, D. G. (2017). A qualitative study to examine older adults’ perceptions of health: keys to aging successfully. Geriatric Nursing, 38(6), 485–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.02.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Torres, S. (1999). A culturally-relevant theoretical framework for the study of successful ageing. Ageing & Society, 19(1), 33–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ungar, M., & ve Lienbenberg, L. (2011). Assessing resilience across cultures using mixed methods: Construction of the Child and Youth Resilience Measure. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 5(2), 126–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Villar, F. (2012). Successful ageing and development: The contribution of generativity in older age. Ageing and Society, 32(7), 1087–1105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagnild, G. M., & Young, H. (1993). Development and psychometric. Journal of Nursing Measurement, 1(2), 165–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, M. (2007). Profiling retirees in the retirement transition and adjustment process: Examining the longitudinal change patterns of retirees’ psychological well-being. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(2), 455. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.2.455-474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wild, K., Wiles, J. L., & Allen, R. E. (2013). Resilience: thoughts on the value of the concept for critical gerontology. Ageing & Society, 33(1), 137–158. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X11001073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Filiz Kunuroglu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

We do not have any conflicts of interests to disclose that would affect the decision to publish this manuscript. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval for this study was obtained from Izmir Katip Celebi University, Social Sciences Division of Institutional Ethics Committee.

Informed consents

We confirm that written informed consents were obtained from all subjects before the study.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kunuroglu, F., Vural Yuzbasi, D. Factors Promoting Successful Aging in Turkish Older Adults: Self Compassion, Psychological Resilience, and Attitudes towards Aging. J Happiness Stud 22, 3663–3678 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00388-z

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-021-00388-z

Keywords

Navigation