Validation of an integrative multidimensional model of successful aging in community-dwelling older adults: what is successful aging all about?

The concept of successful aging has raised much debate and intrigued researchers for over four decades. However, a consensus regarding its definition and measurement has not yet been reached, which narrates the main impediment of successful aging research. The main goal of this study was to validate a proposed multidimensional model of successful aging, with its five components: physiological/physical, cognitive, psychological/emotional, social, and subjective self-rated successful aging. A community-dwelling sample of 790 older adults living in the Republic of Croatia participated in the study, but the final analyzes were conducted on a sample of 767 participants, aged 65 to 98 years (M = 73.86 years, SD = 6.53), 58.8% of which were women. The construct validity of the proposed 5-component model was tested using a confirmatory factor analysis, and by comparing the model with several other theoretical models with 2, 3 or 4 components of successful aging. Results showed that the 5-component model fits the data the best thus confirms the multidimensional nature of successful aging. Partial metric invariance of the structure of the proposed model was found for younger and older age groups, and full metric invariance was established for both gender groups. This 5-factor model is a step forward in the development of a sound and comprehensive multidimensional definition of successful aging. Clear and comprehensive conceptualization of the successful aging construct is important, not only for research purposes, but also within the context of its practical application in developing policies which promote successful aging.