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Physical and mental health in the oldest-old: a mixed-methods study on a southern Italy sample
Rosa Angela Fabio1, Roberta Gallo1, Barbara Colombo2
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, ME, Italy.
Background:
The world's aging population has been constantly increasing in the last decades, causing the number oldest-old individuals to increase.
Aims:
The present study aims to explore the different variables that contribute to the oldest-old wellbeing using a mixed-methods approach, including self-reports, standardized measures, and semi-structured interviews.
Methods:
Thirty-nine oldest-old (90-103) from southern Italy were involved in the study, together with a control sample of younger individuals (51-71) from the same families.
Results:
Data suggest that the oldest-old have better mental health, higher resilience, and more optimism than younger individuals. High resilience seems to be the key variable that promotes the overall wellbeing.
Discussion:
The oldest-old tend to have better mental health, higher resilience and more optimism than younger individuals.
Conclusions:
Wellbeing in the oldest-old appeared to be promoted by the sense of belonging and life purpose.
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