title: Gender role orientation as a correlate of perceived health, health behavior, and qualitative well-being in older women.
abstract: This study investigated the relationships of gender role orientations (Feminine, Masculine, & Androgynous) with self-perceived health status, health behavior, and qualitative well-being experience in a simple random sample of community-dwelling older women (N = 70). Instruments used were The Bem Sex Role Inventory (Bem, 1974); The Seniors' Lifestyle Inventory (Schwirian, 1991); and The Integration Inventory (Ruffing-Rahal, 1991). Findings revealed the greatest number of significant positive correlations with the Feminine orientation; Androgyny was significantly linked with qualitative well-being and with a positive self-comparison in relation to peers and Masculinity was positively linked with health behavior. Findings are interpreted in light of successful aging issues for older women.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA. Ruffing-Rahal.1@osu.edu
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ruffing-Rahal
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Barin
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Combs
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D012649:Self Concept; D016387:Women's Health