Gender Differences in Successful Ageing in Iran

Nasibeh Zanjari , University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences,Tehran, Iran
Ahmad Delbari, Iranian Research Center on Ageing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, IRAN
Yadollah Abolfathi Momtaz, Iranian Research Center on Ageing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, IRAN

The population structure of Iran is undergoing ageing processes. Based on the 2016 Iranian census the number of people aged 60 and older is 7.4 million which represents almost 10 percent of the Iranian population and estimated to increase to 25 percent until 2050 due to a sharp decline in fertility and increasing life expectancy. Increases in life expectancy and ageing populations have given rise to a greater interest in successful ageing. Successful ageing is a gendered construct and thus needs to be understood in gender lens. This paper aims to examine gender differences in dimensions of successful ageing among Iranian elderly men and women. The data is drawn from a representative sample of 600 older adults aged 60 and older (293 males, 307 females) that conducted in the city of Tehran (is the capital of Iran) in 2015. Controlling for socio-demographic variables, the results of the multivariate analysis revealed there are significant gender differences in various dimensions of successful ageing. Significant disparities were found between elderly men and women in psychological well-being, spirituality, financial security, functional health, physical and mental health, and healthy lifestyles. Females had higher scores of spirituality, psychological well-being, and healthy lifestyle than males, and vis-a-vis males had higher scores than females in physical and mental health, functional health and financial security. But, there was no significant gender difference in social support. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the need to develop gender-sensitive interventions and policies for successful ageing.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session P2. Poster Session Ageing, Health and Mortality