Correlates of Self Rated Health among Elderly Men and Women from Different Social Classes: A Prospective Study

Majority of elderly women experience apprehensions of health and disability especially when they enter 60 plus years. One of the psychological markers of long life is self-rated health which is revealed by western and eastern longitudinal studies on longevous individuals. Self-efficacy beliefs of health as a moderator variable that determine physical wellbeing which in turn leads to mental well-being. Keeping aforementioned in view, data on SRH and its correlates have been identified from a 3-year prospective study carried out on three cohort groups (55-60; 61-65; 66-70). A sample of 480 community dwelling elderly men and women of different social classes (schedule class, schedule tribe & general open category - non-SC & ST groups) were drawn from 50-59(N=160), 60-69(N=160), and 70-79 (N=160) age groups. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw subjects from rural areas of Chittoor, Kadapa and Nellore districts. Data pertaining to 480 middle aged and elderly men and women over three consecutive years of testing indicate a significant association between self-rated health with self-regulation, state and trait anxiety, anger, social supports, physical and mental activity, health behavior motivation, health behavior practices and stress, Health care implications are discussed.