Active ageing among elderly community members: structural equation modeling analysis

Abstract

Objective: to propose a structural model of active ageing among elderly community members based on the World Health Organization’s theoretical framework and to identify the most relevant determinants of active ageing to the proposed model. Methods: a cross-sectional and analytical study conducted with 957 elderly community members. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were performed. Results: the final measurement model was composed of the six determinants of active ageing: behavioral (R²=0.66); personal (R²=0.74); physical environment (R²=0.70); social (R²=0.77); economic (R²=0.44); and social and health services (R²=0.95). The last one showed good quality of adjustment: χ2/gl=3.50; GFI=0.94; CFI=0.92; TLI=0.90; RMSEA=0.05. By analyzing the trajectories between determinants and active ageing, the most representative was social and health services ß active ageing (λ=0.97; p<0.001). Conclusion: satisfaction with access to health services and positive self-assessment of health status were the factors that most contributed to active ageing in this population.