Successful Aging in the Republic of Kosovo
Abstract views: 25
/ 
PDF downloads: 5
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70736/2958.8332.kosalb.39Keywords:
Kosovo, Longevity, Gerotrauma, ElderlyAbstract
Study aim(s): This study aims to deepen the understanding of successful aging in the Republic of Kosovo by identifying the key factors affecting individuals' physical and mental health from their sixth decade of life onward. Data were collected using a comprehensive questionnaire that explored both the challenges and the facilitators influencing the aging population.
Methods: The study was conducted between June 30 to August 15, 2024, in Peja and Pristina. The participants consisted of elderly individuals aged 60 and over. A total of 101 people who met the inclusion criteria were selected. These criteria included being 60 years or older, having the ability to communicate, no significant hearing or vision impairment, no mental health problems, and willingness to participate in the study.
Results: Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software 24.0, using tests such as ANOVA and Mann-Whitney to assess relationships between variables. Factor analysis identified three key dimensions of successful aging (55% of the variance); Healthy Lifestyle, Adaptive Coping, and Engagement with Life. Participants showed a strong tendency to maintain independence, physical and mental health, and social relationships. However, additional support is needed in areas such as environmental control and challenge-coping. Descriptive statistics showed agreement rates of 66.92%, 62.37%, and 76.24% for the three dimensions, respectively.
Conclusion: The study emphasizes the importance of further research with diverse sample groups to better understand elderly perceptions of successful aging and life satisfaction, ultimately informing targeted health interventions.
References
Urtamo A, Jyväkorpi SK, Strandberg TE. Definitions of successful ageing: a brief review of a multidimensional concept. Acta Biomed. 2019 May 23;90(2):359-363. doi: 10.23750/abm.v90i2.8376. PMID: 31125022; PMCID: PMC6776218.
American Heart Association. Why is physical activity so important for health and well-being? [Internet]. Dallas (TX): American Heart Association; 2024 [cited 2024 Dec 5]. Available from: https://www.heart.org.
Rowe JW, Kahn RL. Successful aging. The Gerontologist. 1997;37(4):433–40.
World Health Organization. World report on ageing and health. Geneva: WHO; 2015.
Rejeski WJ, Mihalko SL. Physical activity and quality of life in older adults. J Gerontol a Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(suppl_2):23–35.
Marmot M. The influence of income on health: Views of an epidemiologist. Health Aff. 2002;21(2):31–46.
House JS, Landis KR, Umberson D. Social relationships and health. Science. 1988;241(4865):540–5.
Lund R, Modvig J, Due P, Holstein BE. Stability and change in structural social relations as predictor of mortality among elderly women and men. Eur J Epidemiol. 2000;16(12):1087–97.
McGarry K, Schoeni RF. Social security, economic growth, and the rise in elderly widows' independence in the twentieth century. Demography. 2005;42(4):747–72.
Barrientos A, Lloyd-Sherlock P. Non-contributory pensions and social protection. Issues Soc Prot. 2002; 12:1–28.
International Organization for Migration (IOM). Rapid assessment on the situation of older persons in Kosovo. IOM Report; 2019.
Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1997). Successful aging. The Gerontologist, 37, 433-440.
Cotterell N, Buffel T, Phillipson C. Preventing social isolation in older people. Maturitas. 2018; 113:80–4.
Cosco TD, Howse K, Brayne C. Healthy ageing, resilience and wellbeing. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2017;26(6):579–83.
Sims J. Healthy ageing. Aust Fam Physician. 2017;46(1):26–9.
Shrira A, Carmel S, Tovel H, Raveis VH. Reciprocal relationships between the will-to-live and successful aging. Aging Ment Health. 2018; 23:1350–7.
Sargent-Cox KA, Anstey KJ, Luszcz MA. The relationship between change in self-perceptions of aging and physical functioning in older adults. Psychol Aging. 2012; 27:750–60.
Amin I. Perceptions of successful aging among older adults in Bangladesh: An exploratory study. J Cross-Cult Gerontol. 2017;32(2):191–207.
Pruchno RA, Wilson-Genderson M, Cartwright F. A two-factor model of successful aging. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2010;65B (6):671–9.
Hilton JM, Gonzalez CA, Saleh M, Maitoza R, Anngela-Cole L. Perceptions of successful aging among older Latinos, in cross-cultural context. J Cross-Cult Gerontol. 2012;27(3):183–99.
Montross LP, Depp C, Daly J, et al. Correlates of self-rated successful aging among community-dwelling older adults. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2006;14(1):43–51.
Gueldner SH, Sprouse B. Successful aging and adaptation with chronic diseases in older adulthood. Springer; 2003.
Kozar-Westman M, Troutman-Jordan M, Nies MA. Successful aging among assisted living community older adults. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2013;45(3):238–46.
Jeste DV, Savla GN, Thompson WK, et al. Association between older age and more successful aging: Critical role of resilience and depression. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170(2):188–96.
Subramaniam M, Abdin E, Vaingankar J, et al. Successful ageing in Singapore: Prevalence and correlates from a national survey of older adults. Singapore Med J. 2019;60(1):22–30.
Martinson M, Berridge C. Successful aging and its discontents: A systematic review of the social gerontology literature. Gerontologist. 2015; 55:58–69.
Fernández-Ballesteros R, et al. Cultural and ethnic variations in perceptions of successful aging highlight its multidimensional nature and variability across societies. Psychological and Social Gerontology. 2008;63B (5): S335–S342.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 KOSALB International Journal of Human Movements Science
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
