A Causal Model of Successful Aging Among Older Adults with Kidney Function Decline

Background/Purpose: This study explored psychosocial and health-related variables that influence successful aging among older adults with kidney function decline. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design that recruited 350 participants from two outpatient clinics by simple random sampling. Participants completed a set of health and psychosocial measures. Structural equation modeling was used to test a model. Results: The final model of successful aging consisted of optimism, resilience, perception of health status, and self-transcendence. The model explained 84% of the total variance. Optimism, resilience, perception of health status, and self-transcendence influenced both direct effects and indirect effects on successful aging. Additionally, self-transcendence was found to be a moderator between optimism, resilience, perception of health status, and successful aging. Conclusion: The results provide the context of understanding the significant predictors for successful aging in older people with kidney function decline. Interventions that increase the interplay of predictors are needed to assist this population.