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Journal of Aging and Health
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Disability and Psychosocial Outcomes in Old Age

Constança Paúl, PhD

UNIFAI, University of Porto, Portugal, constancapaul{at}netcabo.pt

Salma Ayis, PhD

MRC Health Services Research Collaboration, Bristol, United Kingdom

Shah Ebrahim, DM, FRCP

MRC Health Services Research Collaboration, Bristol, United Kingdom

Objective: This article explores psychosocial variables associated with illness and age-related losses during old age. Method: The study is cross-sectional and comprised 999 people aged 65 and older. The variables included health problems and limitations, self-perceptions of health, optimism, and quality of life. Results: In general, people aged 80+ years show high prevalence of health problems and disability, good self-perception of health, and quality of life. However, among the oldest age group, those in better health were more optimistic, but more problems meant lower self-perception of health, quality of life, and optimism. Discussion: This does not fully confirm the disability paradox (high disability and high optimism and self-perception of quality of life). The dual-process coping model helps to understand the results of our study: First is an attempt to avoid losses; afterward, people lower goals and standards to meet constraints and foster adaptation.

Key Words: aging • disability • health perception • optimism • quality of life

This version was published on October 1, 2007

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 19, No. 5, 723-741 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264307304301
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