Relationship between expectations regarding aging and productive engagement among community-dwelling older adults

A cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID22088134
AuthorsShuangshuang Dai (First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Yijia Zhuo (Zhengzhou University), Siyuan Feng (0000-0002-3296-0597, Fudan University), Xinyue Zhao (0009-0003-3690-7288, Zhengzhou University), Beibei Qiao (0009-0001-9554-884X, Zhengzhou University), Jingjing Wang (0000-0002-7962-606X, Zhengzhou University, corresponding author), Mingli Zhao (0009-0009-5745-8905, Fudan University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume14
Pages1743393-1743393
Publication date2026-02-27
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2026.1743393
PMID41846827
OpenAlexW7131786321
LanguageEN
References cited44

Background This study aims to explore the relationship between expectation regarding aging and productive engagement among community-dwelling older adults. Methods From May 2023 to November 2023, we employed a convenience sampling method to conduct a survey among older adults in a community located in southern Minhang District, Shanghai, China. Data collection utilized the General Information Questionnaire, Productive Engagement Scale, and the Aging Expectations Scale (ERA-21). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0. Results The community-dwelling older adults exhibited an overall expectation regarding aging score of 42.42 ± 7.36, with subdomain scores of 10.11 ± 2.29 for physical health, 18.37 ± 3.89 for mental health, 6.80 ± 2.30 for cognitive function, and 7.14 ± 2.37 for functional independence. Their productive engagement demonstrated a moderate overall score of 39.84 ± 6.83, comprising family caregiving (39.38 ± 6.55), paid employment (43.90 ± 8.79), and volunteer activities (39.38 ± 6.55). Significant differences in productive engagement were identified across age, marital status, number of children, employment status, living arrangements, income source, monthly income, the number of chronic disease, and activity types ( p < 0.05), Positive correlations observed between productive engagement and all four aging dimensions ( p < 0.05). Regression analyses indicated age as a negative predictor ( B = −1.11, p = 0.050), while number of children and the four aging expectation subdomains were significant positive predictors ( B = 1.705, p = 0.004; B = 0.555, p < 0.001; B = 0.438, p < 0.001; B = 0.675, p < 0.005; B = 0.399, p < 0.001). Conclusion The community-dwelling older adults exhibited moderate levels of both expectation regarding aging and productive engagement, demonstrating potential for enhancement. All four dimensions of aging expectations showed positive correlations with productive engagement and demonstrated predictive capacity for its intensity, suggesting that community administrators could develop interventions targeting expectation regarding aging to optimize productive engagement among older adults, strategically leverage the human resources of older adults, and ultimately facilitate the realization of productive aging

Activities of daily living · Cognition · Healthy aging · Marital status · Regression analysis · Social engagement · Aging and Gerontology Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

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Open DOIOpen Access