Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of health-promoting behavior, health self-efficacy, health literacy, and aging anxiety; to analyze the relationships among these variables; and to identify factors associated with aging anx...
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the levels of health-promoting behavior, health self-efficacy, health literacy, and aging anxiety; to analyze the relationships among these variables; and to identify factors associated with aging anxiety among late middle-aged adults (50∼64 years) in one regional area. The findings are intended to provide foundational evidence for developing intervention programs aimed at alleviating aging anxiety and supporting both the physical health and psychological well-being of this population.
Method: This descriptive survey was conducted with 164 adults aged 50 to 64 years residing in B metropolitan city, South Korea, who understood the purpose of the study and agreed to participate. Data were collected from June 10th to June 16th, 2025, using convenience sampling through a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, minimum values, and maximum values, were calculated. Inferential analyses included independent-samples t-test, one-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc comparisons, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression analysis.
Results: The results of this study were as follows.
1. The total number of participants was 164, and the mean age was 56.70±4.08 years. Women were 51.2%(n=84), employed participants were 65.9%(n=108), and married participants were 78.0%(n=128). Having two or more children was most common at 59.8%(n=98), and having no religion was reported by 57.9%(n=95). Having one chronic disease was most frequent at 48.2%(n=79). Both subjective health status and perceived economic status were most commonly rated as fair at 57.3%(n=94) each. College graduation or higher was 53.7%(n=88).
2. The mean health-promoting behavior score was 3.30±0.49 on a five-point scale; health self-efficacy, 2.53±0.58 on a four-point scale; health literacy, 2.98±0.53 on a four-point scale; and aging anxiety, 3.35±0.70 on a five-point scale.
3. Aging anxiety differed significantly by employment status (t=2.01, p=.046), number of chronic diseases (F=5.62, p=.004), subjective health status (F=15.15, p<.001), and perceived economic status (F=13.40, p<.001).
4. Aging anxiety showed significant negative correlations with health-promoting behavior (r=-.38, p<.001), health self-efficacy (r=-.31, p<.001), and health literacy (r=-.17, p=.029). Health-promoting behavior was positively correlated with health self-efficacy (r=.36, p<.001) and with health literacy (r=.40, p<.001). Health self-efficacy was positively correlated with health literacy (r=.57, p<.001).
5. In multiple regression, significant factors associated with aging anxiety were the number of chronic diseases, subjective health status, perceived economic status, health-promoting behavior, and health self-efficacy. Specifically, having one chronic disease was associated with higher aging anxiety (β=0.24, p=.003). Compared with good subjective health, subjective health as ‘average’ (β=0.28, p=.002) or ‘poor’ (β=0.29, p=.010) was associated with higher aging anxiety. Compared with high perceived economic status, perceiving economic status as ‘Moderate’ (β=0.33, p=.008) or ‘low’ (β=0.34, p=.010) was also associated with higher aging anxiety. In contrast, higher health-promoting behavior (β=-0.23, p=.003) and higher health self-efficacy (β=-0.21, p=.010) were associated with lower aging anxiety. The model explained 33% of the variance in aging anxiety (F=8.93, p<.001).
Conclusion: Among late middle-aged adults, the number of chronic diseases, subjective health status, perceived economic status, health-promoting behavior, and health self-efficacy were significant factors associated with aging anxiety. These findings indicate the need for multicomponent strategies that include prevention and management of chronic diseases, enhancement of positive health perceptions, and strengthening of economic stability, as well as educational and psychological interventions to promote health-promoting behaviors and bolster health self-efficacy.