| Title | Health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older whites and African Americans |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2009 |
| Authors | Jang, Y, Chiriboga, DA, Borenstein, AR, Small, BJ, Mortimer, JA |
| Journal | Journal of Aging and HealthJournal of Aging and Health |
| Volume | 21 |
| Pagination | 336-349 |
| Date Published | Apr |
| ISBN Number | 0898-2643<br/>1552-6887 |
| Accession Number | Peer Reviewed Journal: 2009-03040-006 |
| Keywords | *Aging in Place, *Blacks, *Health, *Quality of Life, *Whites, Functional Analysis, Gerontology [2860], health-related quality of life, community-dwelling, older Whites, older African Americans, functional characteristics, structural characteristics, Short Form-36 Health Survey, physical health, mental health, general well-being, Human Male Female Adulthood (18 yrs & older) Middle Age (40-64 yrs) Aged (65 yrs & older), Mental Health, Physical Health, Psychometrics, Psychometrics & Statistics & Methodology [2200], Surveys, us, Well Being |
| Abstract | Objective: This study assesses structural and functional characteristics of Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) domains using community-based samples of older Whites and African Americans. Although the eight domains of the SF-36 have by convention been collapsed into two summary categories-physical health and mental health-the authors examine a three-factor model including physical health, mental health, and general well-being. They hypothesized that the general well-being factor would be a mediator between physical and mental health in both groups. Method: Analyses using structural equation modeling provide support for the approach. Results: In both White and African American samples, the three-factor model demonstrated a better fit than the two-factor model. Also, in both groups, general well-being mediated the relationship between physical health and mental health. Discussion: Findings suggest that general well-being serves as an intervening step between physical and mental health in both White and African American older adults. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract). |
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