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Journal of Aging and Health
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Determinants of Self-Rated Health Items With Different Points of Reference

Implications for Health Measurement of Older Adults

Kerry A. Sargent-Cox, BAppPsych

Australian National University, Kerry.Sargent-Cox{at}canberra.edu.au

Kaarin J. Anstey, PhD

Australian National University

Mary A. Luszcz, PhD

Flinders University, Australia

Objective: This study assessed whether three commonly used self-rated health (SRH) items (global, age-comparative, and self-comparative) are equivalent measures of health perception for older adults. Method: Regression analyses were used to simultaneously contrast the associations between physical, psychological, and social factors relating to health for three SRH items, in a large ( N = 2,034) population-based sample of older adults (65 years and older) from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging. Results: Health perceptions were more positive for the age-comparative SRH measure, compared to the pessimistic ratings of the self-comparative measure, particularly for the oldest-old adults. Different patterns of associations between the health factors and SRH measures were found. Discussion: These results show the three SRH items are not equivalent measures of health and cannot be used interchangeably. The reference point of the SRH item has a considerable influence on health perceptions of older adults as it encapsulates unique health information.

Key Words: self-rated health • reference point • older adults • aging • Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging

This version was published on September 1, 2008

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 20, No. 6, 739-761 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264308321035
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