Abstract
The present study aims at detecting factors which may predict a decline or an improvement in self-rated health (SRH) of older
adults (persons aged 50 or higher) among socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental health indicators and risky
health behaviours. In the analysis, multinomial logistic regression models are applied to data from waves 1 and 2 of the Survey
of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (carried out about 3 years apart); persons who report a decline or an improvement
in SRH at wave 2 are compared to those who report no change while controlling for SRH at baseline and country of residence.
The analysis was carried out for the whole sample and two subgroups, persons aged 50–64 and 65 or higher. The results indicate
that female sex and higher educational attainment have a strong protective effect against decline in SRH. Worse health at
baseline is an important predictor of subsequent decline but changes occurring between the waves have a more pronounced effect,
implying that SRH is influenced more by recent developments. The findings also indicate that improvement in SRH is a more
complex concept than decline and is strongly affected by factors other than health. Among behavioural risk factors, low levels
of physical activity and a decrease in the levels of activity between the waves are significantly related to decline while
frequent drinking seems associated with improvement. Differentiations by age are modest and probably suggest that advancing
age is related to a milder view of one’s health.
adults (persons aged 50 or higher) among socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental health indicators and risky
health behaviours. In the analysis, multinomial logistic regression models are applied to data from waves 1 and 2 of the Survey
of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (carried out about 3 years apart); persons who report a decline or an improvement
in SRH at wave 2 are compared to those who report no change while controlling for SRH at baseline and country of residence.
The analysis was carried out for the whole sample and two subgroups, persons aged 50–64 and 65 or higher. The results indicate
that female sex and higher educational attainment have a strong protective effect against decline in SRH. Worse health at
baseline is an important predictor of subsequent decline but changes occurring between the waves have a more pronounced effect,
implying that SRH is influenced more by recent developments. The findings also indicate that improvement in SRH is a more
complex concept than decline and is strongly affected by factors other than health. Among behavioural risk factors, low levels
of physical activity and a decrease in the levels of activity between the waves are significantly related to decline while
frequent drinking seems associated with improvement. Differentiations by age are modest and probably suggest that advancing
age is related to a milder view of one’s health.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Investigation
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10433-012-0238-4
- Authors
- Georgia Verropoulou, Department of Statistics & Insurance Science, University of Piraeus, 80, Karaoli & Dimitriou Str, 185 34 Piraeus, Athens, Greece
- Journal European Journal of Ageing
- Online ISSN 1613-9380
- Print ISSN 1613-9372