Changes Over 4 Years in Health, Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Valuation of Life

Objectives: This longitudinal study explores how the relationship between changes in physical health and changes in valuation of life (VOL) may be affected by changes in quality of life and in mental health. Method: 335 community residents older than age 70 were interviewed over a 4-year period. Ana...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of aging and health Vol. 19; no. 6; pp. 1025 - 1044
Main Authors Moss, Miriam S., Hoffman, Christine J., Mossey, Jana, Rovine, Michael
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA Sage Publications 01.12.2007
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Aged
Female
Health
Health Status
Health technology assessment
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Mental Health
Older people
Psychological aspects
Quality of Life
Regression analysis
Studies
United States
Value of Life
United States
valuation of life
quality of life
health
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Summary:Objectives: This longitudinal study explores how the relationship between changes in physical health and changes in valuation of life (VOL) may be affected by changes in quality of life and in mental health. Method: 335 community residents older than age 70 were interviewed over a 4-year period. Analysis used correlation and regression models. Results: The association between changes in health and changes in VOL was of little significance when quality of life and mental health mediators came into the picture. Discussion: It is important for practitioners and clinicians to recognize that the way many old persons view their time use and their psychological well-being may be more salient than their physical health as old persons consider the value of their lives. As Lawton and colleagues suggested,“health is not the only determinant of VOL and decrement not the only direction of change.”
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
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ISSN:0898-2643
1552-6887
DOI:10.1177/0898264307308567