Pathways from education and childhood parental death to successful aging: the role of social conditions and perceived income level

Abstract

Objectives Although the association between adverse childhood conditions and health in later life has been relatively well established, little is known about how and through which mechanism this association develops. Building on the developmental adaptation model (Martin & Martin, 2002), the present study investigates the effects of distal and proximal influences on successful aging (SA). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 475 adults aged 50 and above (Mean age = 72.13, SD = 10.46). SA was measured based on Rowe and Kahn’s successful aging criteria model (1997) and an SA operationalization based on a number of multidimensional biopsychosocial indicators, including no disease and disability, active engagement with life, high physical and cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, life satisfaction and a one-item subjective SA question. Results Parental death had no direct effect on SA (β = .03, p = .629), whereas education had (β = .39, p < .001). Furthermore, perceived income level and social conditions were identified as two sequential mediators between both education and SA; and parental death and SA. Conclusions The findings suggest that both early life and current factors contribute to explaining SA in a variety of ways.