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

Arcadia University

Christine J. Hoffman, MA

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Jana Mossey, PhD

Drexel University

Michael Rovine, PhD

Pennsylvania State University

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."

Key Words: health • valuation of life • quality of life

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Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 19, No. 6, 1025-1044 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264307308567


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Moss, M. S. Articles by Rovine, M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Moss, M. S. Articles by Rovine, M. Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Mental Health Social Bookmarking                         What's this?