Socio-emotional and cognitive predictors: Its roll on the comprehension of the successful aging in costarica's context

Abstract

The present study was aimed at identifying and analyzing the characteristics of older people with high levels of activity and social participation living in Costa Rica, from perspectives like the Successful Aging approach. It also addresses the classical criteria of successful aging theories and their scope in Costa Rican culture. 191 participants between the ages of 55 and 87 (M = 68.5, SD = 6.9) who live in the metropolitan area and participate in programs of the Costa Rican Gerontological Association and the Program for the older people at the University of Costa Rica (in computer courses, languages courses, physical activity, art, among others). Linear models analysis has shown that social, emotional and cognitive factors are the best predictors of the level of activity in the analyzed sample. The variables combined to better predict social participation in leisure activities, physical activities, cognitive activities, instrumental functionality and productivity in old age are: a.) Variables of emotional stability as self-efficacy, positive emotions, life satisfaction, personal control, adequate support networks b.) executive functions, c.) perceived subjective health and d.) sociodemographic characteristics such as level of education and income. The study can serve as a baseline for theoretical and methodical descriptions of successful aging in Costa Rica, characterized by a strong orientation to give more importance to social participation and leisure activities rather than cognitive and physical activity or personal achievement.