Scientific journal paper Q1
Gender differences in psychosocial determinants of self-perceived health among Portuguese older adults in nursing homes
Violeta Alarcão (Alarcão, V.); Teresa Madeira (Madeira, T.); Catarina Peixoto-Plácido (Peixoto-Plácido, C.); Nuno Sousa-Santos (Sousa-Santos, N.); Elisabete Fernandes (Fernandes, E.); Paulo Nicola (Nicola, P.); Osvaldo Santos (Santos, O.); João Gorjão-Clara (Gorjão-Clara, J.); et al.
Journal Title
Aging and Mental Health
Year (definitive publication)
2019
Language
English
Country
Netherlands
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Abstract
Objectives: Self-perceived health declines with age, varies by gender and is a predictor of mortality, morbidity, physical and psychological functioning. However, gender differences in health and illness perception are complex and not yet fully understood. This study aimed to explore gender-related differences in psychosocial determinants of self-perceived health among older adults living in nursing homes. Method: Nationwide face-to-face survey of the Portuguese population aged 65 and over. A representative sample of nursing homes residents was obtained through a multistage cluster random sampling of nursing homes, stratified by main Portuguese administrative regions (NUTS II). Results: Overall, 1186 nursing homes residents voluntarily enrolled in this study (participation rate, 93%) and a total of 515 participants (70.1% women) were considered to have adequate cognitive functioning to answer all questionnaires. A significant association between self-rated health and gender was found: 90.6% of all women (95% CI: 85.7—93.9) and 82.3% of all men (95% CI: 72.9—88.9) rated their health as less than good (p = 0.023). Gender-stratified analyses showed differences in psychosocial determinants of self-perceived health. While symptoms of depression and loneliness feelings were the major psychosocial determinants of poor self-perceived health among women, age and subjective financial well-being were the only determinants among men. Conclusion: Factors associated with perceived health, as representative of healthy ageing, were identified by gender, leading to future avenues for fruitful investigation. The acknowledgement of interpersonal and socioeconomic factors that determine the experience of ageing at a national level is crucial to improve the health of elders.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
Gender,Subjective health,Social determinants of health,Ageing,Nursing homes
  • Clinical Medicine - Medical and Health Sciences
Funding Records
Funding Reference Funding Entity
136SI5 Public Health Initiatives

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