Alternative Measures of Self-Rated Health for Predicting Mortality Among Older People: Is Past or Future Orientation More Important?

Ferraro, Kenneth F.; Wilkinson, Lindsay R.

doi:10.1093/geront/gnt098

Cited by 41 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(39 reference statements)

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“…In contrast, empirical links with both health and wellbeing have been established for future-oriented time perceptions [4] . Mechanisms that link both past-and futureoriented subjective time perceptions with developmental outcomes require further empirical investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, frequently used selfreport measures are anchored in diachronic thinking and may differ fundamentally depending on the time frame used (i.e., past, present, or future time framings). For example, self-rated future health is an independent predictor of mortality vis-à-vis the conventional self-rated present health [4] . Overall, subjective conceptions of personal lifetime and aging are on the rise in behavioral science and in aging research at large and have proven useful for the prediction of developmental outcomes over and above chronological age [5][6][7][8][9] .…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Subjective Time Perceptions and Aging Well: A Review of Concepts and Empirical Research - A Mini-Review

Gabrian

Dutt

Wahl³

2017

Gerontology

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Human beings impose subjective, time-related interpretations on their existence, and the experience of time is a major aspect of lifespan development. In this mini-review, we understand subjective time as the way individuals subjectively perceive and evaluate the passing of their personal “objective” lifetime. A broad range of constructs and operationalizations has been developed in (gero-) psychology to capture subjective time, including future time perspective, personal goals, or autobiographical memories. In order to theoretically integrate this yet loosely connected body of literature, we propose a conceptual model of subjective time concepts according to 2 dimensions: temporal direction (past, present, future) and thematic field (duration/expansion, time-ordered life content, and time-related evaluations, attitudes, and mindsets). This conceptual model of subjective time perceptions builds the foundation for a review of the empirical literature regarding associations of subjective time with developmental outcomes (i.e., subjective well-being and physical health) in middle and late adulthood. Empirical findings establish subjective time concepts as a consistent predictor of well-being and health. Positive subjective time perceptions (i.e., an expanded view of the future, a focus on positive past and future life content, and favorable time-related evaluations) were associated with higher well-being and better physical health, while negative subjective time perceptions in general were linked to lower levels of health and well-being. Contrasting past- and future-oriented subjective time perceptions, it appears that past-oriented subjective time perceptions have been studied primarily in relation to subjective well-being, while future-oriented time perceptions play a key role both with regard to physical health and well-being. In conclusion, we argue that a stronger integration of subjective time constructs into developmental regulation models may deepen our understanding of human development across the lifespan. To this end, we call for theoretical and empirical interlinkages between yet loosely connected conceptual developments related to subjective time. These endeavors should be paralleled by an extension of methodological procedures (e.g., implementation of longitudinal research designs as well as a focus on the oldest-old) in order to inform a “lifespan theory of subjective time.”

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Subjective Time Perceptions and Aging Well: A Review of Concepts and Empirical Research - A Mini-Review

Gabrian

Dutt

Wahl³

2017

Gerontology

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“…Self-rated physical health was assessed at all three time points with one item in the telephone interview (“In general, would you say your physical health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?”), and one item in the self-administered questionnaire (“Using a scale from 0 to 10 where 0 means ‘the worst possible health’ and 10 means ‘the best possible health,’ how would you rate your health these days?”). Both items have been linked to mortality in the MIDUS cohort (Ferraro & Wilkinson, 2015). The two items were standardized to be on the same scale, with possible values ranging from 1 to 5, and higher scores representing better health.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Longitudinal health consequences of socioeconomic disadvantage: Examining perceived discrimination as a mediator.

et al. 2018

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Objective Foundational theoretical perspectives suggest that socioeconomic disadvantage (SED) increases an individual’s risk of being exposed to unfair treatment or discrimination. However, little empirical attention has been given to the role of perceived discrimination in the SED-health gradient. Addressing this knowledge gap, the current study examined the mediating role of discrimination in the longitudinal association between SED and self-rated health. Methods Participants in the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study were followed over three waves covering a 17–19 year period (N = 6286; 53% female; 91% White; Mean Age at baseline = 47 years, SD = 13). SED was assessed from education, occupational prestige, income, and assets; self-rated health was measured at baseline and follow-up assessments. Two measures of discrimination—perceived inequality in work and everyday discrimination—were considered as mediators. Results Both measures of discrimination emerged as important explanatory variables in the link between SED and health. SED at the baseline assessment was associated with changes in self-rated health over the 17–19 year period (B = −.15, p < .001). Measures of discrimination partially mediated this longitudinal association, explaining 22% of the total effect. Exposure to discrimination and its health consequences were also more pronounced at younger ages. Conclusion Additional research is needed to replicate the findings of this study using objective health measures and to examine possible interventions. Challenging the ideologies and practices that underlie social class-related discrimination, or mitigating its harmful consequences, will both be important approaches to consider.

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“…Like the notion that older age is accompanied by health declines, FHEs also play a significant role in predicting mortality (Wang & Satariano, ). Among a national sample of older adults, those with poor FHEs were less likely to be alive 10 years later compared to those with positive FHEs (Ferraro & Wilkinson, ). In fact, these personal FHEs remained significant predictors of mortality after accounting for past health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative optimism in older adults’ future health expectations

Vanderzanden

Ruthig

2018

British J Health Psychol

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Findings have implications for predicting survival and advancing the conceptual understanding of comparative FHEs. Statement of contribution What is already known on the subject? Previous research has demonstrated that older adults tend to believe diminished health accompanies increasing age. Despite this notion, older adults remain comparatively optimistic about their health. What does this study add? The longitudinal results of the current study indicated that nearly half of participants were categorized as comparative optimists, primarily due to interpersonal pessimism. The current study demonstrated that there is little distinction between personal FHEs and those for a similar other in terms of demographic, psychosocial, and health correlates. The current study identified factors that predicted eight-year survival among older adults, such as being female, younger, in a committed relationship, and better personal FHEs.

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Alternative Measures of Self-Rated Health for Predicting Mortality Among Older People: Is Past or Future Orientation More Important?

Abstract: The findings reveal the importance of future time perspective for older people and suggest that it is more useful to query older people about their future health expectations than about how their health has changed.

Cited by 41 publications

References 32 publications

Subjective Time Perceptions and Aging Well: A Review of Concepts and Empirical Research - A Mini-Review

Subjective Time Perceptions and Aging Well: A Review of Concepts and Empirical Research - A Mini-Review

Longitudinal health consequences of socioeconomic disadvantage: Examining perceived discrimination as a mediator.

Comparative optimism in older adults’ future health expectations

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