Perception of Healthy Aging

Abstract

The main goal of this research is to investigate the cross-cultural differences in perceptions of the importance of the microlevel (e.g., exercising) and macrolevel (e.g., education) factors of healthy aging among adults in the United States and Saudi Arabia. The participants include Saudi adult men and women ages 18 years and older who are living in the U.S. (n = 23) and U.S. adults (n = 45). Respondents completed an online survey that included questions about their perceptions of the importance of the main factors of healthy aging. The findings of this study suggest that drinking alcohol, engaging in creative arts, engaging in cognitively stimulating activities and receiving care from others reflect cross-cultural differences in perceptions of healthy aging between Saudi adults and the U.S. adults. These findings help in understanding the perceptions of the importance of the underlying factors of healthy aging in the United Sates and Saudi Arabia.