The factors related to age awareness among middle-aged and elderly Japanese

The purpose of this article was to expand past research by examining relationships between age awareness and related factors in Japanese middle-aged and elderly people. The subjects were 1,129 participants (575 men and 554 women, aged 40 to 79 years) of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences--Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). They were examined with a questionnaire and interview. As a result, chronological age, self-rated health, and visual and hearing ability tend to be the related factors for awareness of aging. Comparing the demographic and physiological factors, however, major life events, difficulties and daily life experiences showed a stronger influence on age awareness. These results provide an interesting basis for the future understanding of adult development and the meaning of aging.