Identifying Longevity Profiles Among Centenarians: A Latent Profile Analysis

Abstract

Longevity is shaped by a complex interplay of personal and social factors, yet few studies have examined their interrelationship among centenarians. Using data from the Iowa Centenarian Study (N = 145; M age = 101.6, SD = 2.13, range = 100–112; 14% men, 86% women), we conducted exploratory latent profile analyses (LPA) to identify distinct profiles based on four domains of the Georgia adaptation model: relationships, education, social support, and personality traits. Analyses proceeded in two stages: domain-specific LPAs followed by a between-domain LPA. Preliminary findings identified marriage length, education, conscientiousness, and guidance as key differentiators. A two-class solution emerged: Class 1 (Conscientiously Driven, 87.7%) was characterized by lower education and higher conscientiousness, whereas Class 2 (Educationally Advantaged, 12.3%) showed higher education and lower conscientiousness. Independent samples t-tests revealed significant group differences in education, t(129) = 3.314, p < .001, and conscientiousness, t(101) = −12.016, p < .001. These findings support the Georgia adaptation model (Poon et al., 1992), highlighting how conscientiousness and education promote longevity and well-being in extreme old age. Class 1 (Conscientiously Driven) also reported higher perceived health than 5 years ago, t(127) = 2.027, p = .022, relative to Class 2 (Educationally Advantaged), suggesting that conscientiousness boosts perceived health, whereas higher education promotes a more critical self-view. LPA can identify centenarian profiles and highlight intervention targets—such as relationships, education, and resilience—that can inform practical applications, including designing tailored caregiving approaches, guiding community and health-promotion programs, and shaping policies that support successful longevity.