The process of population ageing with socioeconomic and political implications necessitates the creation of sustainable social strategies aimed at societal inclusion, support of subjective well-being and successful ageing of older adults. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore individual and contextual factors and predictors which impede the possibility of successful ageing. The study was conducted from January to June 2024 through a questionnaire involving 403 elderly participants who live in the Eastern region of Croatia—Slavonia. The Diener Scale of Subjective Well-being and Self-assessment of Successful Ageing Scale were used in this research. A separate and model contribution of predictors (gender, age, subjective age, residence, level of education, marital status, comorbidities, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Prosperity Scale) were examined using bivariate and multivariate regression. Multivariate regression differentiated a statistically significant model, which as a whole explains between 41% and 55% of the variance of the present negative assessment of successful ageing, correctly classifying 80% of cases. The significant predictors included subjective age, place of residence, level of education, comorbidities, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Prosperity Scale. These findings underscore the importance of both individual and contextual factors in successful ageing within this specific regional context.

Connectedness is a multidimensional human experience that is essential to successful aging. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to assess connectedness and self-perception of successful aging in older people, to examine whether there are differences in relation to basic characteristics, and to examine whether there is a connection between connectedness and self-perception of successful aging. The respondents were elderly people in the Republic of Croatia. Data were collected using two validated scales: Croatian versions of the Register–Connectedness Scale for Older Adults and the Self-Assessment Scale of Successful Aging. The study included 824 respondents, of which 319 (38.7%) were men and 505 (61.3%) were women. The median age was 72 years. The median connectivity of the respondents was 8.9 (IQR= 7.6–10.2), and the median rating of successful aging was 3.25 (IQR = 1–5). Spearman’s correlation coefficient ρ (p value) was 0.585 (<0.001). Connectivity was rated better by respondents with a higher level of education, who were married, resided in their own homes, used modern technologies, and were active in the community. There is a significant positive association between connectedness and the self-perception of successful aging overall, as well as in all individual connectedness domains.

Background: Aging is a multidimensional process influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Social support contributes to cognitive reserve by reducing stress, promoting mental engagement, and reinforcing a sense of belonging. Objective: To examine the association between perceived social support and cognitive functioning among older adults, and to investigate whether social support mediates the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive performance. Methods: The sample included 265 older adults aged 65 years and above, recruited using snowball sampling between March and July 2025 in rural communities. Instruments included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for cognitive function and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support for social support. Results: In this study, higher perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others was associated with better cognitive performance. Multiple regression showed that all three dimensions of social support significantly predicted MoCA scores, with the strongest effect from friends’ support. Mediation analysis revealed that perceived social support mediated the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive functioning, while the direct effect of cohabitation alone was not significant. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of perceived social support in preserving cognitive health in older adults.

Introduction/Objective: Patient satisfaction with nursing care quality is an important patient-reported indicator of hospitalization experience. Previous studies have mainly examined sociodemographic, clinical, and organizational factors, while personality traits have rarely been included in explanatory models. This study examined the association of sociodemographic characteristics, hospitalization-related variables, and personality traits with patient satisfaction. Methods: A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted among hospitalized patients in a general hospital in Croatia. Data were collected at discharge using a demographic and hospitalization questionnaire, the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, and the Croatian version of the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire. Group differences were analyzed using non-parametric tests, and hierarchical regression analysis was performed. Results: Younger age, employment, male gender, and better self-rated health were associated with higher satisfaction. Patients admitted on a scheduled basis and those staying alone or with one other person in the room were more satisfied. Sociodemographic variables explained 21.5% of the variance in satisfaction (R² = 0.215; adjusted R² = 0.168). After hospitalization-related variables were added, the explained variance increased to 30.1% (R² = 0.301; adjusted R² = 0.232). The addition of personality traits further increased the explained variance to 45.6% (R² = 0.456; adjusted R² = 0.385). In the final model, staying with two or more persons was negatively associated with satisfaction, whereas agreeableness and conscientiousness were positively associated with satisfaction. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction with nursing care quality was associated with patient characteristics, hospitalization conditions, and personality traits. Accommodation conditions and individual psychological differences should be considered when interpreting satisfaction as an indicator of nursing care quality.

Background: Population aging has increased attention on the quality of life and successful aging of older adults. Objective: To examine urban–rural differences in subjective quality of life and self-rated successful aging, explore associations with psychosocial factors, and identify predictors of successful aging, including potential moderating effects of place of residence and chronic illness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 adults aged ≥60 years in Eastern Croatia. Measures included a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Self-assessment of Successful Ageing Scale (SSAS), and the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI). Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests (Mann–Whitney U, Spearman’s correlation), linear regression, and moderation analyses. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained (Class: 602-01/24-12/02; IRB: 2158/97-97-10-24-36). Results: Rural participants reported lower PWI scores (p = 0.005) and self-rated successful aging (p < 0.001) than urban participants. Active community involvement was positively associated with quality of life (Rho = 0.46; p < 0.001), whereas regret about missed opportunities and past actions was negatively associated (Rho = −0.20; p < 0.01). Regression analyses explained 48.3% of the variance in SSAS, with PWI as a strong positive predictor, and rural residence and chronic illness as negative predictors. Moderation analyses indicated that the association between PWI and SSAS was consistent across different environmental contexts and in the presence of illness. Conclusion: Older adults living in rural areas reported lower quality of life and self-rated successful aging compared with those in urban and suburban areas, with subjective well-being emerging as a key predictor. Promoting social engagement and addressing psychosocial barriers may enhance successful aging, particularly in rural populations.

Background: Aging is a multidimensional process influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Social support contributes to cognitive reserve by reducing stress, promoting mental engagement, and reinforcing a sense of belonging. Objective: To examine the association between perceived social support and cognitive functioning among older adults, and to investigate whether social support mediates the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive performance. Methods: The sample included 265 older adults aged 65 years and above, recruited using snowball sampling between March and July 2025 in rural communities. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and perceived social support was measured with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in JASP, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: In this study, higher perceived social support from family, friends, and significant others was associated with better cognitive performance (MoCA: ρ = 0.363–0.497; p < 0.001). Participants with normal cognition (≥26 points) reported greater social support across all dimensions. Multiple regression showed that all three dimensions of social support significantly predicted MoCA scores (R² = 0.290), with the strongest effect from friends’ support (β = 0.371, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis revealed that perceived social support mediated the relationship between living arrangements and cognitive functioning, while the direct effect of cohabitation alone was not significant (indirect effect, p < 0.001). Conclusion: These results highlight the importance of perceived social support in preserving cognitive health in older adults.