Factors Affecting Self-Rated Health in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Solveig A. Arnadottir, Elin D. Gunnarsdottir, Hans Stenlund, Lillemor Lundin-Olsson
Primary Institution: Umeå University, Sweden
Hypothesis
What factors are associated with self-rated health among community-dwelling older people?
Conclusion
Higher self-rated health in older adults is associated with better physical capacity, lower depressive symptoms, and higher levels of household physical activity.
Supporting Evidence
- Self-rated health is a strong predictor of future health outcomes in older adults.
- Physical capacity and depressive symptoms significantly influence self-rated health.
- Household physical activity is associated with better self-rated health.
Takeaway
Older people who feel healthier usually have better physical abilities and are less depressed. Doing household chores can also help them feel better about their health.
Methodology
The study used a population-based, cross-sectional design with 185 randomly selected participants aged 65-88, analyzing associations with self-rated health using ordinal logistic regression.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported measures and the specific demographic of the sample may limit generalizability.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the sample size may increase the risk of type II error.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 63% urban residents, 52% men, aged 65-88, all white.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 1.02-1.17
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website