Purpose: Assess the validity of our previously published multidimensional concept of Successful Aging that integrates physiological, psychological, and sociological domains of health.
Design: Three distinctly different populations were used to assess the discriminant and predictive validity.
Methods: Data included 1438 women age 65 and older who participated in the Women's Health and Aging Studies I and II (WHAS-I and WHAS-II) and 302 participants in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) study. Outcome measures included ADL and IADL function, self-reported health status, and number of hospitalizations.
Results: Within the CCRC, the Successful Aging construct discriminated participants with regard to ADL and IADL function and self-reported health status. In both WHAS-I and WHAS- II samples, the construct predicted functional ADL and IADL change over time, and in WHAS-I, it predicted hospitalizations.
Implications: The Successful Aging construct appears valid and warrants further research and refinement among the general population.