A salutogenic inquiry into positive aging - a longitudinal analysis

Objectives: Based on a gero-salutogenic approach, we investigated the stability of the sense of coherence over a time span of four years in active older individuals and long-term effects of this life orientation on three different indicators of positive aging-subjective well-being, psychological health and physical health. This is the first study to explore associations between gain in sense of coherence and future positive aging. Methods: Our longitudinal sample consisted of 125 physically active individuals (73.5% women) at the mean age of 71 years at follow-up (range: 64 to 87 years; response rate: 73.5%), who completed our questionnaire twice. There were no systematic differences between the follow-up responders and non-responders. Results: The sense of coherence increased over four years, disclosing a small effect size. The baseline sense of coherence had a substantial predictive value for future subjective well-being and psychological health, but not for physical health. Stepwise hierarchical regression analyses showed that both the baseline sense of coherence and gain in sense of coherence predicted future subjective well-being and psychological health. With respect to future physical health, only gain in sense of coherence was significant. Conclusion: Consistent with gero-salutogenic theory, the baseline sense of coherence is an effective predictor of future positive aging, and growth in sense of coherence within a time span of four years is reflected in improved positive aging. It is important to encourage experiences in older age that cultivate the three components of the sense of coherence-feelings of comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness.