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Connectedness and Successful Aging of Older Adults in Croatia

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  • Jadranka Plužarić

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
    Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Ivana Barać

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Vesna Ilakovac

    (Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Robert Lovrić

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Nikolina Farčić

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
    Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Željko Mudri

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Marija Barišić

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Ivana Pavlić

    (Nursing Institute “Professor Radivoje Radić”, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

Abstract

Connectedness is a multidimensional human experience that is essential to successful aging. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to assess connectedness and self-perception of successful aging in older people, to examine whether there are differences in relation to basic characteristics, and to examine whether there is a connection between connectedness and self-perception of successful aging. The respondents were elderly people in the Republic of Croatia. Data were collected using two validated scales: Croatian versions of the Register–Connectedness Scale for Older Adults and the Self-Assessment Scale of Successful Aging. The study included 824 respondents, of which 319 (38.7%) were men and 505 (61.3%) were women. The median age was 72 years. The median connectivity of the respondents was 8.9 (IQR= 7.6–10.2), and the median rating of successful aging was 3.25 (IQR = 1–5). Spearman’s correlation coefficient ρ ( p value) was 0.585 (<0.001). Connectivity was rated better by respondents with a higher level of education, who were married, resided in their own homes, used modern technologies, and were active in the community. There is a significant positive association between connectedness and the self-perception of successful aging overall, as well as in all individual connectedness domains.

Suggested Citation

  • Jadranka Plužarić & Ivana Barać & Vesna Ilakovac & Robert Lovrić & Nikolina Farčić & Željko Mudri & Marija Barišić & Ivana Pavlić, 2023. "Connectedness and Successful Aging of Older Adults in Croatia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:10843-:d:1191137
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marija Barišić & Željko Mudri & Nikolina Farčić & Maja Čebohin & Dunja Degmečić & Ivana Barać, 2024. "Subjective Well-Being and Successful Ageing of Older Adults in Eastern Croatia—Slavonia: Exploring Individual and Contextual Predictors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-17, September.

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