Predictors of Self-Rated Health: Does Education Play a Role Above and Beyond Age?

Spuling SM, Huxhold O, Wurm S, Tesch-Römer C (2015)


Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy B - Oxford Open Option D

Book Volume: 30

Pages Range: 462-474

Journal Issue: 2

URI: http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/08/21/geronb.gbv057.abstract

DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbv057

Abstract

Objectives. Previous studies have demonstrated that while health factors lose importance for the individual conceptualization of self-rated health (SRH) with advancing age, subjective well-being (SWB) factors gain in importance. The present study examined whether this age-related pattern differs between educational groups.Method. Longitudinal data of adults aged 40 years and older of the German Ageing Survey was used (N = 6,812). The role of education in age-related changes in the predictive value of different health and SWB facets for SRH was investigated with a cross-lagged panel regression model.Results. Physical conditions were a stronger predictor in lower than in higher educated individuals while age-related declines in the importance of physical conditions for SRH were independent of education. In contrast, positive affect and life satisfaction only gained in importance with advancing age for higher educated individuals. Negative affect and loneliness had a stronger association with SRH in people with low or middle education compared to those with high education while the associations did not change with age.Discussion. The findings highlight the importance of considering the multidimensionality of SWB and the educational background of individuals for the study of SRH and indicate possible limits to adjustment to age-related declines in health.

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How to cite

APA:

Spuling, S.M., Huxhold, O., Wurm, S., & Tesch-Römer, C. (2015). Predictors of Self-Rated Health: Does Education Play a Role Above and Beyond Age? Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 30(2), 462-474. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbv057

MLA:

Spuling, Svenja M., et al. "Predictors of Self-Rated Health: Does Education Play a Role Above and Beyond Age?" Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 30.2 (2015): 462-474.

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