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Journal of Aging and Health
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Article

Determinants of Self-Rated Health Items With Different Points of Reference: Implications for Health Measurement of Older Adults

Kerry A. Sargent-Cox*, Kaarin J. Anstey, and Mary A. Luszcz

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: kerry.sargent-cox{at}canberra.edu.au.


  Abstract
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.

First published on July 14, 2008, doi:10.1177/0898264308321035

Journal of Aging and Health 2008;20:739.

A more recent version of this article appeared on September 1, 2008

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