title: Perceived health and life satisfaction among older adults: the effects of worry and personal variables.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe how worry affects two desired outcomes of nursing care for older adults-perceived health and life satisfaction. A convenience sample of 100 individuals (ages 65 to 97) living in the community responded to the questionnaire. Despite several chronic diseases, 89% of the participants perceived themselves as "well." Descriptive statistics revealed relatively high life satisfaction. Data from the Perceived Health Scale indicated the participants were functioning near their normal capacity, and with few negative emotions and physical sensations. Worry was also minimal. Nevertheless, using multiple regression, worry contributed to lower life satisfaction, negative emotions, physical discomforts, and decreased functional ability. Because the reported worries were primarily related to health and functioning, assessment of worry is significant when planning nursing care for older adults.
authors.affiliation: Indiana State University School of Nursing, Terre Haute, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fakouri
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lyon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis