Factors Related to Healthy Aging among Older Persons

This study investigated the healthy aging levels and the factors of healthy aging among the elderly in Khon Kaen Province, which has been identified as having the highest level of healthy aging in Thailand. The sample (n = 449) was obtained from multistage random sampling. Physical factors, psychological, and spiritual factors, and a healthy aging instrument were part of the instruments. Findings revealed that elderly had an excellent level of healthy aging (M = 4.66, SD = .36). Correlation analysis showed eight independent variables were significantly associated with healthy aging. The first step of the hierarchical regression model showed that civil service was statistically significant to healthy aging (beta = -.17, adj. R-2 = .09, p = .01). In the second step, health perception (beta = .15, p < .001) and active daily living (beta = .21, p < .001) were statistically significant to healthy aging. In the third step, self-esteem (beta = .15, p < .001) and psychological spiritual needs (beta = .56, p < .001) were statistically significant to healthy aging. In the final model, psychosocial factors were statistically significant (beta = .18, p < .001, adj. R-2 = .56). These findings suggest that promoting health perceptions, active daily living, self-esteem, psychological and spiritual needs, and psychosocial necessities could assist individuals healthy aging. This presents an opportunity for behavioral science research to be utilized to promote healthy aging by engaging the specific areas and identifying chances where behavioral promotion may be used to create behavior that contribute to healthy aging.