Determinants of Successful Aging: A Systematic Literature Review of Physical, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Dimensions of Well-Being in Older Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v6i7.102Keywords:
successful aging, elderly well-being, healthy aging, public health, systematic reviewAbstract
Global population aging is accelerating rapidly, posing significant public health challenges. As life expectancy increases, the concept of successful aging has become central in gerontology and public health research. Successful aging refers to maintaining physical health, psychological well-being, and social engagement in later life. This study aims to synthesize evidence regarding determinants influencing successful aging among older adults. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published between 1985 and 2026 using keywords related to successful aging and elderly well-being. Studies examining determinants of well-being among adults aged ≥60 years were included. A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using narrative synthesis. Results: The review identified several key determinants of successful aging including physical activity, psychological resilience, social support, environmental quality, socioeconomic status, and spiritual well-being. Physical activity and social engagement were the most consistently reported predictors of improved well-being among older adults. Psychological resources such as self-esteem, resilience, and mindfulness were also associated with reduced depressive symptoms and increased life satisfaction. Spiritual well-being contributed to emotional stability and coping with aging-related challenges. Conclusion : Successful aging is a multidimensional process shaped by biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. Public health policies should promote integrated strategies supporting active lifestyles, social participation, and supportive environments for aging populations
References
Bigras N, Popova N, Pedneault L, Brassard A, Bergeron S. Sexual well-being
among partnered adults and couples over 60: a scoping review. Sex Med Rev. 2024 Sep 25;12(4):611-622. doi: 10.1093/sxmrev/qeae037. PMID: 38824393.
Bull FC, et al. WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour (2020).
Jeste DV, et al. Successful Aging: A Neuroscience and Positive Psychiatry Perspective (2022).
Cordes T, Bischoff LL, Schoene D, Schott N, Voelcker-Rehage C, Meixner C,
Appelles LM, Bebenek M, Berwinkel A, Hildebrand C, Jöllenbeck T, Johnen B,
Kemmler W, Klotzbier T, Korbus H, Rudisch J, Vogt L, Weigelt M, Wittelsberger R,
Zwingmann K, Wollesen B. A multicomponent exercise intervention to improve
physical functioning, cognition and psychosocial well-being in elderly nursing
home residents: a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial in the PROCARE
(prevention and occupational health in long-term care) project. BMC Geriatr.
2019 Dec 23;19(1):369. doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1386-6. PMID: 31870314; PMCID: PMC6929376.10.1080/07399339709516276. PMID: 9256669. multidisciplinary support. Encephale. 2022 Aug;48(4):359-360. doi:
10.1016/j.encep.2022.06.001. Epub 2022 Jul 12. PMID: 35840355.
Garatachea N, Molinero O, MartÃnez-GarcÃa R, Jiménez-Jiménez R, González-
Gallego J, Márquez S. Feelings of well being in elderly people: relationship to
physical activity and physical function. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2009 May-
Jun;48(3):306-12. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2008.02.010. Epub 2008 Apr 3. PMID:
18394730.
Jeste DV. Frailty and mental health: association with cognition, sleep, and
well-being in older adults. Int Psychogeriatr. 2019 Jun;31(6):755-757. doi:
10.1017/S1041610219000863. PMID: 31292018.
Koenig HG. Religion, Spirituality and Health: Research Update (2020).
Holt-Lunstad J. Social Connection and Health (updated reviews).
Beard JR, Officer A, et al. WHO Healthy Ageing Framework.
Lee YJ, Hung WL. The relationship between exercise participation and well-
being of the retired elderly. Aging Ment Health. 2011 Sep;15(7):873-81. doi:
10.1080/13607863.2011.569486. Epub 2011 Jun 1. PMID: 21547748
Li Z, Jiang Y, Jin Z, Pu Y, Li H. The influence of natural environment in
residential areas on subjective well-being of the elderly. Front Public Health.
2023 Mar 13;11:1037819. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1037819. PMID: 36992878; PMCID: PMC10040654.
Liu X, Wang Z, Zhang C, Zhang C, Peng L, Xu H. Effects of Income on
Subjective Well-Being in the Elderly: Complete Mediation Roles of Self-Rated
Health and Psychological Capital. Inquiry. 2024 Jan-Dec;61:469580241284967. doi:
10.1177/00469580241284967. PMID: 39314000; PMCID: PMC11456172.
Mesa-Fernández M, Pérez-Padilla J, Nunes C, Menéndez S. Bienestar psicológico
en las personas mayores no dependientes y su relación con la autoestima y la
autoeficacia [Psychological well-being in non-dependent active elderly
individuals and its relationship with self-esteem and self-efficacy]. Cien Saude
Colet. 2019 Jan;24(1):115-124. Spanish. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232018241.35302016.PMID: 30698246.
Naganandini DR. Mindfulness and mental well-being among the elderly in rural
area: A mixed-methods study. Geriatr Nurs. 2025 Nov-Dec;66(Pt B):103621. doi:
10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103621. Epub 2025 Sep 13. PMID: 40946405
Ouyang P, Sun W, Wang C. Well-being loss in informal care for the elderly
people: Empirical study from China national baseline CHARLS. Asia Pac
Psychiatry. 2019 Jun;11(2):e12336. doi: 10.1111/appy.12336. Epub 2018 Sep 20. PMID: 30238701.
Pormehr S, Dasht Bozorgi Z. Effectiveness of health-promoting lifestyle
training on mental well-being, vitality, and quality of life of elderly with
diabetes. J Gen Psychol. 2024 Jan-Mar;151(1):21-33. doi:
10.1080/00221309.2023.2171357. Epub 2023 Jan 25. PMID: 36697391.
Rius-Ottenheim N, Houben JM, Kromhout D, Kafatos A, van der Mast RC, Zitman
FG, Geleijnse JM, Hageman GJ, Giltay EJ. Telomere length and mental well-being
in elderly men from the Netherlands and Greece. Behav Genet. 2012
Mar;42(2):278-86. doi: 10.1007/s10519-011-9498-6. Epub 2011 Aug 26. PMID:
21870178; PMCID: PMC3276762.
Sarpdaği Y, Yiğit MF, Aydin MA, Yildirim MS, Çiftci N, Yildiz M. Mediating
role of psychological well-being in the effect of spirituality on attitudes
toward death in the elderly. Psychogeriatrics. 2025 Jan;25(1):e13236. doi:
10.1111/psyg.13236. PMID: 39763186.
Velasco-Gonzalez L, Rioux L. The spiritual well-being of elderly people: a
study of a French sample. J Relig Health. 2014 Aug;53(4):1123-37. doi:
10.1007/s10943-013-9710-5. PMID: 23568407
Wang X. Subjective well-being associated with size of social network and
social support of elderly. J Health Psychol. 2016 Jun;21(6):1037-42. doi:
10.1177/1359105314544136. Epub 2014 Aug 7. PMID: 25104778.
Wang Y, He X, Zhang F, Zhang X, Hu X, Xie X. The influence of progeny-Parents
family travel on the well-being of the elderly in filial piety culture. PLoS
One. 2024 May 9;19(5):e0299565. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299565. PMID:
38722872; PMCID: PMC11081327.
Wolinsky FD, Coe RM, Miller DK, Prendergast JM. Correlates of change in
subjective well-being among the elderly. J Community Health. 1985
Summer;10(2):93-107. doi: 10.1007/BF01326514. PMID: 4067009.
World Health Organization. Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030 (2020).
World Health Organization. Global Report on Ageism (2021).
Vaillant-Ciszewicz AJ, Palazzolo J, Guerin O. Psychological well-being of the
elderly: New approaches and innovative actions for integrative and.
Zafari M, Sadeghipour Roudsari M, Yarmohammadi S, Jahangirimehr A, Marashi T.
Investigating the relationship between spiritual well-being, resilience, and
depression: a cross-sectional study of the elderly. Psychogeriatrics. 2023
May;23(3):442-449. doi: 10.1111/psyg.12952. Epub 2023 Mar 9. PMID: 36892004.
Zheng Z, Chen H. Age sequences of the elderly' social network and its
efficacies on well-being: an urban-rural comparison in China. BMC Geriatr. 2020
Sep 29;20(1):372. doi: 10.1186/s12877-020-01773-8. PMID: 32993525; PMCID:
PMC7526405
Zyzanski SJ, Medalie JH, Ford AB, Grava-Gubins I. Living arrangements and
well-being of the elderly. Fam Med. 1989 May-Jun;21(3):199-205. PMID: 2744288.
Zhong Y, Huang J, Luo A, Xu G. Factors influencing the well-being of elderly
population in home care mode and optimization research. Sci Rep. 2026 Jan
17;16(1):5642. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-35719-8. PMID: 41547909; PMCID:
PMC12891682.
Zorn CR, Johnson MT. Religious well-being in noninstitutionalized elderly
women. Health Care Women Int. 1997 May-Jun;18(3):209-19. doi:
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruhdiat R.P, Faisal J.A.P, Dewanti K.M, Putri Ghaisani, Shiba A.A

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

































