The Impact of Cognitive Age and Psychological Well-being on Successful Aging in the Senior Generation

This study conducted an empirical analysis to examine the impact of the difference between actual age and cognitive age, as well as psychological well-being, on successful aging among the senior generation. The survey targeted senior consumers aged 55 to 75 residing in the country. The survey was conducted as a self-administered questionnaire, where respondents read and answered the questions themselves, using verified online panels registered with a professional survey company. The survey was conducted from January 5 to January 10, 2024, and a total of 300 responses were collected, with 298 valid responses analyzed after excluding insincere answers. The analysis identified five components of psychological well-being: positive interpersonal relationships, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and self-acceptance. For successful aging, four components were derived: healthy lifestyle habits, cognitive function, productive activity, and psychological function. The average actual age of the senior generation was 64.3 years, while the average cognitive age was 59.1 years, indicating that individuals perceive their cognitive age to be, on average, 5 years younger than their actual age. Regarding the impact of psychological well-being on successful aging, autonomy and self-acceptance had the most significant influence, and this impact was higher when the perceived difference in age was greater. Additionally, positive interpersonal relationships were found to influence healthy lifestyle habits and productive activities. The study highlights that, in the pursuit of anti-aging, there is an increasing trend of achieving successful aging through healthy habits such as nutrition, exercise, and skincare to regulate the speed of aging. It emphasizes that preparation and support not only during the elderly years but also from earlier generations are crucial for achieving successful aging.