Journal article
Aging Well: Observations From the Women's Health Initiative Study
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, Vol.71 Suppl 1(3), pp.S3-S12
03/2016
DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glv054
PMCID: PMC5865531
PMID: 26858322
Abstract
As the proportion of the population aged 80 and over accelerates, so does the value of understanding the processes of aging well. The purposes of this article are to: (a) review contemporary theoretical and conceptual perspectives on aging well, (b) describe indicators of aging well that reflect key concepts and perspectives as assessed in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and (c) characterize the status of aging among women aged 80 and older using data obtained from WHI participants at the WHI Extension 2 follow-up.
Data from the Lifestyle Questionnaire, which was administered from 2011 to 2012 during the WHI Follow-up Study (Extension 2), were analyzed to provide a profile of the WHI cohort with respect to aging well.
Data revealed substantial diversity in the cohort with respect to the various measures of aging well. Although many reported physical functioning levels consistent with disability, most rated their health as good or better. Most reported moderately high levels of resilience, self-control, and self-mastery but lower levels of environmental mastery. Finally, the cohort reported high levels of optimal aging as reflected by their high levels of emotional well-being and moderately high levels of life satisfaction and social support, but more modest levels of personal growth and purpose in life.
The wide range of some dimensions of aging well suggest that further examination of predictors of positive coping and resilience in the face of aging-related disability could identify opportunities to support and facilitate aging well among U.S. women.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Aging Well: Observations From the Women's Health Initiative Study
- Creators
- Nancy Fugate Woods - University of WashingtonEileen Rillamas-Sun - Fred Hutch Cancer CenterBarbara B Cochrane - University of WashingtonAndrea Z La Croix - University of California San DiegoTeresa E Seeman - David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAHilary A Tindle - University of PittsburghOleg Zaslavsky - University of HaifaChloe E Bird - RAND CorporationKaren C Johnson - University of Tennessee Health Science CenterJoAnn E Manson - Brigham and Women's HospitalJudith K Ockene - University of Massachusetts Chan Medical SchoolRebecca A Seguin - Cornell UniversityRobert B Wallace - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, Vol.71 Suppl 1(3), pp.S3-S12
- DOI
- 10.1093/gerona/glv054
- PMID
- 26858322
- PMCID
- PMC5865531
- NLM abbreviation
- J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci
- ISSN
- 1079-5006
- eISSN
- 1758-535X
- Grant note
- 24152 / PHS HHS 32108-9 / PHS HHS 32105-6 / PHS HHS 32122 / PHS HHS 32111-13 / PHS HHS 32115 / PHS HHS 42129-32 / PHS HHS 44221 / PHS HHS 32100-2 / PHS HHS Intramural NIH HHS 42107-26 / PHS HHS 32118-32119 / PHS HHS N01WH22110 / WHI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/2016
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984364445702771
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