OPINIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AND INDEPENDENT-LIVING ADULTS REGARDING SUCCESSFUL AGING

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Abstract
This study compared opinions of successful aging among college students and older independent-living adults. Participants were 226 undergraduate students, 44 graduate students, and 59 independent-living older adults subjects. The participants were asked to rate the level of importance of 29 items in relation to their contribution to successful aging. The 29 items were divided into seven categories. Social and familial relationships, intrinsic values, financial concerns, accomplishments, and cognitive functioning were viewed as contributing the most to successful aging. Independence was reported to be somewhat important, while physical appearance was reported as being least important. There were few differences between how young and old viewed successful aging. Only the categories of financial concerns and physical appearance showed age-related differences, with older adults attributing a higher level of importance to financial concerns and physical appearance than did the younger participants.
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