Health behaviors and adaptation to chronic illness in relation to successful aging among hospitalized older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Objective

This study aimed to examine factors associated with successful aging and assess the mediating role of adaptation to chronic illness in the relationship between dietary adherence and successful aging among older adults with chronic diseases.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 414 older adults hospitalized with chronic diseases at a university hospital. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, Adaptation to Chronic Illness Scale, and Successful Aging Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, hierarchical regression, Pearson correlation, and mediation analyses were performed. Mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes' PROCESS Model 4 with 5000 bootstrap samples to estimate the indirect effect.

Results

Participants had a mean age of 71.9 years; 51% were female and 72.2% married. Bivariate analyses showed that women, married individuals, those with higher education, employed individuals, non-smokers, and those adhering to health-protective behaviors had higher adaptation and successful aging scores. Hierarchical regression showed that demographic variables explained 19% of successful aging, increasing to 44.6% with health behaviors and 47.6% with adaptation to chronic illness. Mediation analysis showed that dietary adherence was indirectly associated with successful aging through adaptation to chronic illness. Adaptation to chronic illness was positively correlated with successful aging (r = 0.619, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Successful aging in older adults with chronic diseases is associated with health-protective behaviors and adaptation to chronic illness. Promoting medication adherence, healthy diet, regular exercise, and routine health check-ups may help nurses and health professionals support adaptation and successful aging.