• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.231-249
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to suggest the academic roles and direction of the successful aging in journal papers. For this purpose the trends of research on the successful aging were analyzed by means of reviewing articles published from 2002 to 2012 in journal papers of korea. Data were collected by using keyword library database. 86 papers was to analyze to find out overall the research streaming of theme, method and subject. As results, there were increased considerably the number of research in successful aging every year. Secondly, the study of successful aging had been performed more in social welfare. The research trends had focused on the successful aging, but the research had some limitations in simply introducing the definition and general plan.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2003

As the life-expectancy is ever-increasing, and the proportion of the elderly population is growing steadily in every society of the world, it is ever more important to establish what factors allow certain elderly people to age successfully and remain relatively independent while others grow old less successfully and require extensive intervention. However, there is no consensus yet as to what successful aging means. Researchers have defined successful aging in a variety of ways. This study attempted to define the concept of successful aging and to clarify some dimensions of it through literature review. Previous approaches of studying successful aging and related themes were examined. Early perspectives including activity, disengagement, and continuity theories, Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) model by Baltes and Baltes, three different conceptions of successful aging, that is, psychological well-being, physical health, and wisdom, and MacArthur research on successful aging have been reviewed for this study. The definition derived from the review is: Keeping up continuous developmental processes to achieve wisdom or ego-integrity, without suffering any major disabilities in either physical or mental functioning, while maintaining psychological well-being and employing SOC strategies, and participating in positive relationships with significant others. The dimensions of successful aging are 1) personal resources, including physical health, cognitive competences, self esteem, and social support 2) adaptation process of SOC, and 3) psychological aspects, including psychological well-being and wisdom.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
• /
• v.23 no.3 s.75
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2005

This study explored the elements, types, and determining factors of successful aging for the Korean elderly. In order to examine the expectations of the Korean elderly, a sample of 377 elderly aged 65 and over living in Seoul and Kyunggi areas was selected and interviewed. The elements of successful aging that the Korean elderly pointed out in the interviews were: 'peaceful and comfortable life', 'self-maintenance,' 'secure social support,' and 'ostentation.' The expected elements of successful aging were further classified into three types of successful aging: 'idealized expectation.' 'self-centered expectation,' 'balanced self-other expectation.' The elderly groups sorted by the types exhibited significant differences in terms of demographic characteristics, self-evaluated economic status, and self-evaluated health status. The variables that affected the expectations were age, level of education, marital status, gender, and self-evaluated health condition. However, further analysis revealed that the factors that affected the expectation for successful aging were different for male and female elderly. The results suggest that the successful aging of Korean elderly should be understood in the context of Korean society and culture. The results could be used to better understand varied and unique life of Korean elderly, as well as in establishing a basis of intervention that meets the specific demands of the Korean elderly.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.65-87
• /
• 2007

The objective of the study was to cast a frame for the integrating concept of successful aging together with for understanding both elderly problems and aging, which was one of the major issues in aging society. For this, the author reviewed the meaning of aging and also made a general survey of both affirmative change such as growth and development and negative change with regard to aging. Particularly, it was observed that wisdom is a key factor for successful aging. The existing theory of successful aging and major study results were reviewed. As a result, the author proposed an integrated conceptualization of successful aging under the general discussion of the limits of existing theory and also explained the characteristics and implications of an integrated conceptualization of successful aging in line with the discussion on the definition of the integrated concept of successful aging.