Selective optimization with compensation and life-span gerontological intervention.

Abstract

Technological, material, social and mental factors associated with Culture, and not genome changes due to evolution, were the main cause for the increase in longevity of the XX century. Selective optimization with compensation (SOC) can be considered as adaptive capacity – life management psychological strategies that lead to successful aging. Inspired in principles of Life Span Developmental Psyhcology, SOC is simultaneously a theoretical modeland a metamodel, in thesensethat itexplains both general mechanisms of human functioning and changes in specific domains. Baltes and cols. created an instrument to assess adaptive capacity – SOC Questionnaire, useful to gerontological life-span intervention – an optimizing view of developmental change throughout life based on life events. The present study examines SOC strategies in older adults that take part in initiatives promoted by municipalities. There are 104 participants, with a mean age of 72,6 years (SD = 5,9), predominantly women (80,8%), married (61,5%), with reduced education (84,6%). Data collection was performed with a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Portuguese version of the Soc Questionnaire. The analysis of adaptive capacity according to sociodemographic variables shows significant differences between women and men (p < 0,05), as well as a significant interaction between study group and school years (p < 0,01). Regardless of study group, women display lower scores
than men. Between individuals with fewer school years, SOC scores are higher in the intervention group, while among the more educated ones the comparison group has higher scores. This tendency in participants with more school years must be interpreted with caution since there are few participants in these strata. These results seem promising to plan life-span interventions, enhancing adaptive capacity throughout life in order to deal with stressful life situations, such as the COVID-10 Pandemic.