The structure of the OARS physical health measures.
This article proposes and evaluates two models for integrating self-reported health status measures for the elderly with dominant conceptualizations of physical health. Each model includes three dimensions of physical health: chronic illness, functional limitation, and self-rated health. In Model 1, the dimensions are linked in a causal framework, whereas in Model 2, a second-order factor, labeled physical health status, is hypothesized to account for the relationships among the three dimensions. Each model was tested with data gathered in Cleveland (N = 1,834) and Virginia (N = 2,146) using the Older Americans Resources and Services Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (OARS MFAQ). Analyses were further replicated by randomly dividing each sample. Both models fit the data well; their utilities will depend on the way in which physical health is conceptualized and on the nature of the research question at hand.
Whitelaw
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Center for Health System Studies, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202-2689.
Liang
J
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006262:Health; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012647:Self-Assessment