Background and Objective: Middle-aged adults often experience anxiety related to aging, particularly as they face life challenges and health-related concerns associated with getting older. Health literacy is a key factor in managing well-being during this stage of life, especially when dealing with chronic conditions. This study explores the relationship between anxiety about aging and health literacy in middle-aged individuals.
Material and Methods: A descriptive correlational study was carried out in 2024, involving 431 middle-aged residents of Babol city. Participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were gathered using a demographic questionnaire, the Lasher and Faulkender Anxiety about Aging Scale (AAS) with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82, and the Iranian Health Literacy Questionnaire (HELIA) with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.94. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 16, including independent t-tests, ANOVA, regression analysis, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: The average score for anxiety about aging was 49.50±8.98, indicating a moderate level, while the mean health literacy score was 67.69±13.86, indicating an adequate level of health literacy. Anxiety about aging was significantly associated with gender (P=0.01), occupation (P=0.02), education (P=0.026), marital status (P=0.029), and income (P=0.002). Health literacy was significantly related to age (P=0.002), education (P=0.001), occupation (P=0.002), insurance coverage (P=0.001), income (P<0.001), and sources of health information (P=0.005). A significant inverse relationship was found between anxiety about aging and health literacy (r=-0.425, P<0.001). All dimensions of anxiety about aging were inversely correlated with every domain of health literacy (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Enhancing health literacy within middle-aged population could play a pivotal role in reducing anxiety related to aging, as individuals with higher health literacy are better equipped to manage health-related challenges and make informed decisions. It is crucial for policymakers
to design and implement educational programs that focus on enhancing health literacy and alleviating anxiety about aging among middle-aged individuals.
Keywords: Aging, Anxiety, Health Literacy, Middle Age