Latent profile analysis of expectation regarding aging among rural elderly and its influencing factors

WANG Donghua; SONG Mingfang; ZHANG Wan; XIANG Ping; LUO Bingbin; ZHANG Xuan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1671-315x.2023.07.001

Abstract：Objective To analyse the potential categories and influencing factors of aging expectation of the rural elderly.Methods To-tally,437 elderly people from 6 rural areas in Hu'nan Province were investigated by using aging expectation scale,elderly couple attachment questionnaire and general alienation scale.Three potential category models of aging expectation of rural elderly were established by potential profile analysis,and disordered multiple Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of aging expectation category of rural elderly.Results The aging expectations of the elderly in rural areas were divided into three potential categories:"low aging expectation group"(13.96%),"middle aging expectation group"(37.07%),and"high aging expectation group"(48.97%).Disordered multiple Logis-tic regression analysis showed that gender of children(OR=0.480,0.014),prevalence of chronic diseases(OR=0.300),attachment safety(OR=0.776,1.187),attachment avoidance(OR=1.225,1.094)and general alienation(OR=1.133,0.955,0.843)were influencing factors of potential profile categories of aging expectations of the elderly in rural areas.Conclusion The aging expectation of the rural elderly is at the medium level,and the three categories have significant differences in gender of children,the number of chronic diseases,attachment secur-ity,attachment avoidance,and general alienation.It is suggested that the society should face up to the important role of daughters in the process of old-age care,and the basic health institutions should strengthen the knowledge popularization of chronic disease management of the elderly in rural areas.Couples should attach importance to forming attachment relationship to solve avoidance difficulties,and actively express their emotions.Primary care workers should guide rural elderly people with weak social relations on social activities.