| Description |
The present study tested whether views about aging successfully in bicultural individuals as described in the literature, physical functioning, or social engagement and support depend on the individual's level of acculturation. Sixty-seven community-dwelling adults from California and New Mexico, who identified either as Mexican or Mexican American, between the ages of 55 to 88 participated in the study. The data were collected in English or Spanish, using self-report questionnaires that measured acculturation (Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics), physical functioning (SF-12), and social support (Lubben Social Network Scale). A survey developed by Phelan and colleagues to assess attributes described in the successful aging literature was used to capture the participants' thoughts about aging successfully. Multiple regression analyses controlling for age revealed that acculturation was not significantly related to perceptions of aging, physical health, or social support. The results of the present study highlight the need for successful aging research with culturally diverse samples and the benefits of studying differences within the Latino population. As the Latino population is the largest ethnic minority in the 65 and older category in the United States, culturally sensitive approaches that promote successful aging behaviors among older adults of Mexican origin are necessary to support the demands of an increasingly older minority population. |
