Abstract
Previous research has shown that will to live is a strong predictor for survival among older people, irrespective of age, gender, and comorbidities. However, research on whether life at age 100 is perceived as worth living is limited. The available literature has presented evidence for good levels of positive attitudes and life satisfaction at such an advanced age, but it has also suggested that a longing for death is common. This study aimed to add to the existing data on this matter by exploring centenarians' will to live and the associated factors. The sample comprised 121 centenarians (mean age, 101 years; SD, 1.63 years), 19 (15.7%) of whom were males, from two centenarian studies (PT100). Answers to open questions were analyzed to identify the centenarians' will to live and the reasons behind it. Three groups were created (willing to live longer, not willing to live longer, no clear positioning) and further analyzed in terms of sociodemographic characteristics, health status, social functioning, and well-being. Of the total sample, 31.4% expressed willingness to live longer, 30.6% did not, and 38% presented no clear positioning. The presence of the Catholic religion (God) was referred for centenarians in all three groups. Annoyance, uselessness, loss of meaning, disconnection, and loneliness were the most common justifications for being reluctant to live longer. Positive valuation of life and good self-rated health, followed by having a confidant and reduced pain frequency, were the factors associated with being willing to live longer. The results of the study contribute to the understanding of the psychological functioning of individuals with exceptional longevity, particularly concerning the factors behind willingness to live at such an advanced age.
Highlights
Due to the phenomenon of population aging, the length of human life has become of interest in aging and gerontological research
The data for this study came from two centenarian studies - the Oporto Centenarian Study (PT100) and the Beira Interior Centenarian Study (PT100 Beira Interior)—which were conducted in two distinct geographical regions of Portugal, each one with an area of ∼60 km2
This study found an interconnectedness of spirituality with religion for centenarians; in other words, these two constructs overlap
Summary
Due to the phenomenon of population aging, the length of human life has become of interest in aging and gerontological research. In developed countries, reaching 100 years of age is becoming more common (Teixeira et al, 2020), and some individuals, known as supercentenarians, will even live beyond 110 years old This increase in life expectancy and longevity is the result of significant advances in medical, social, political, economic, and cultural domains that together have improved health, nutrition, and sanitation conditions (Mathers et al, 2015). This delay of mortality raises important questions about quality of life in the later years of those who achieve exceptional longevity. In another study with a larger sample (1631) of young and middle-aged adults in the United States, Bowen and Skirbekk (2017) found that 26.4% preferred a life expectancy of 100 or more years old, 24.6% preferred a life expectancy in the 90s, and 31.9% preferred a life expectancy in the 80s
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