Predictors of successful ageing among community-dwelling older adults in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate spiritual well-being as a predictor of successful ageing among community-dwelling older adults in the Xiashan District of Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China. METHODS: Older adults aged ≥60 years who had a score of ≥10 on the Mini-Mental State Examination were recruited from eight community health service centres in the Xiashan District of Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China between August and December 2024. Participants were assessed using the Successful Ageing Inventory, Spiritual Well-Being Scale, Barthel Index, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Social Support Rating Scale. RESULTS: In total, 147 men and 279 women aged 60 to 95 years were included in the study. Predictors of successful ageing were having a religious belief (β = 0.10, p = 0.04), having completed primary school (β = 0.11, p = 0.08), middle/high/vocational high school (β = 0.18, p = 0.01), or junior college or college and above (β = 0.21, p < 0.01) education, having better spiritual well-being (β = 0.25, p < 0.01), and having higher levels of social support (β = 0.14, p = 0.01). The model explained 23% of the variance, indicating a moderate fit. CONCLUSION: Spiritual well-being, educational attainment, religious belief, and social support are key determinants of successful ageing among community-dwelling older adults in the Xiashan District of Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.