Determining the affecting predictors on successful aging among older adults in Iran

The aging population and changing social trends have led to the concept of successful aging (SA), which promotes a positive view of aging. However, SA is a complex, multidimensional, and interdisciplinary concept, making its definition unclear. This complexity has led to a search for variables associated with SA. This study aimed to determine the most important variables affecting SA.

A systematic review and a two-round Delphi survey were conducted to determine the variables affecting SA. Subsequently, data from a sample of 1465 elderly individuals were collected using the selected factors. Statistical techniques such as Chi-square, backward logistic regression (BLR), and enter methods of the BLR were employed to determine the most significant factors affecting SA, which was assessed according to Rowe and Kahn's definition.

Out of 44 factors selected based on expert opinions, 40 were found to be significantly correlated with SA. Following the BLR method, a total of 34 factors showed a statistically significant occurrence chance at P < 0.05.

The findings of this study are crucial for developing healthcare strategies and health-preventive programs, emphasizing modifiable factors to improve quality of life (QoL) and SA. However, further research is needed to establish the causality of these factors with SA.