Validation of a novel successful aging construct
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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
Yuchi Young1, Ming-Yu Fan, John M Parrish
1Department of Health Policy, Management and Behavior, School of Public Health, State University of NewYork at Albany, 1 University Place, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA. yyoung@albany.edu
Purpose:
Assess the validity of our previously published multidimensional concept of Successful Aging that integrates physiological, psychological, and sociological domains of health.
Design:
Three distinctly different populations were used to assess the discriminant and predictive validity.
Methods:
Data included 1438 women age 65 and older who participated in the Women's Health and Aging Studies I and II (WHAS-I and WHAS-II) and 302 participants in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) study. Outcome measures included ADL and IADL function, self-reported health status, and number of hospitalizations.
Results:
Within the CCRC, the Successful Aging construct discriminated participants with regard to ADL and IADL function and self-reported health status. In both WHAS-I and WHAS- II samples, the construct predicted functional ADL and IADL change over time, and in WHAS-I, it predicted hospitalizations.
Implications:
The Successful Aging construct appears valid and warrants further research and refinement among the general population.
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