Successful Aging Transition and Its Impact on Self-Rated Health and Life Satisfaction: Findings from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2018)

Abstract

Background: The concept of successful aging (SA) is becoming more emphasized. Since this status can change over time, it is necessary to evaluate the pattern of change and its effect on subjective well-being.Methods: In this study, the participants aged 65 or older in the Korean longitudinal study of aging (KLoSA) were divided into four groups based on the change in SA (2006-2018), and its relationships with self-rated health and life satisfaction were evaluated.Results: Compared to the non-SA (NSA)→NSA group, the odds ratio for positive self-rated health was 4.30 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64-11.31) in the SA→SA group, 3.92 (95% CI, 1.94-7.95) in the NSA→SA group, and 1.79 (95% CI, 1.28-2.50) in the SA→NSA group. High life satisfaction was 2.42 (95% CI, 1.19-4.94) in the SA→SA group and 2.50 (95% CI, 1.36-4.59) in the NSA→SA group.Conclusions: Maintenance or improvements of a SA state has a significant association with positive self-rated health and high life satisfaction.