The relationship between metacognitive beliefs and healthy aging among older adults

AIM: This study aimed to determine the predictive relationship between metacognitive beliefs and multidimensional healthy aging among Turkish older adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted between May and December 2024 using a convenience sampling method. A total of 394 individuals aged 65 years and older were recruited from primary health care centers. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) and the Healthy Aging Instrument (HAI). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and linear regression were performed. The findings should be interpreted within the context of the study design. RESULTS: The mean MCQ-30 total score was 68.85 ± 19.72, indicating a moderate level of metacognitive dysfunction, while the mean HAI total score was 97.68 ± 26.50, suggesting a generally good level of healthy aging. No significant correlation was found between the total MCQ-30 and total HAI scores (p > .05). However, weak but statistically significant negative correlations were observed between the MCQ-30 total score and the HAI sub-dimensions of accepting aging and being self-sufficient (r=-.145, p < .05) and staying cognitively active and having social participation (r =-.173, p < .05). In regression analyses, the MCQ-30 total score significantly but modestly predicted the healthy aging sub-dimensions of accepting aging and being self-sufficient and staying cognitively active and having social participation (R²=0.032 and R²=0.038, respectively; p < .001). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that metacognitive dysfunction is not associated with overall healthy aging but shows weak yet significant inverse relationships with specific dimensions, particularly acceptance of aging, self-sufficiency, cognitive activity, and social participation. These results suggest that metacognitive processes may be differentially related to certain aspects of healthy aging rather than to the construct as a whole. This study contributes to the limited literature by examining these associations within a Turkish older adult population using a multidimensional approach.