Predictors Of Self Rated Health Among Elderly Men And Women: A Prospective Study

Abstract

The majority of older persons worry about their health and the possibility of impairment, particularly as they reach 60 years of age. Western and Eastern longitudinal research on elderly people have shown that self-rated health is one of the cognitive markers of long life. Self-efficacy attitudes about health serve as a moderator variable that influences both physical and emotional wellbeing. Considering the aforementioned, information on  SRH has been gathered from a three-year perspective study that involved three cohort groups (55–60; 61–65; 66–70). A sample of 480 senior men and women who lived in communities and belonged to various social classes (schedule class, schedule tribe, and general open category - non-SC & ST groupings) were selected from the following age groups: 50–59 (N = 160), 60–69 (N = 160), and 70–79 (N = 160).  The study employed a multistage random selection technique to select participants from rural areas in the districts of Chittoor, Kadapa, and Nellore. A significant prediction of personality, stress, physical and mental activity, health behaviour motivation, and health behaviour practices to self-rated health has been found among 480 middle-aged and older men and women over the course of three years of testing. Implications for health care are addressed.

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