The mediating role of health perceptions in the relation between physical and mental health: a study of older residents in assisted living facilities.
OBJECTIVE
Responding to the increased need for research on older residents in assisted living facilities (ALFs), this study assessed the connections between physical and mental health among 150 older residents in ALF settings.


METHODS
The major focus of the study was to explore whether individuals' subjective perceptions of their own health mediate the associations between health-related variables (chronic conditions and functional disability) and depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
The analyses showed that the adverse effects of chronic conditions and functional disability on depressive symptoms were not only direct but also indirect through negative health perceptions.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings that health perceptions serve as an intervening step between physical and mental health provide important implications for promotion of mental well-being among older residents in ALFs. In addition to disease/disability prevention and health promotion efforts, attention should be paid to ways to enhance older individuals' positive beliefs and attitudes toward their own health and to promote healthful behaviors.
Jang
Yuri
Y
Department of Aging and Mental Health, Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, 13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1439, Tampa, FL 33612, USA. yjang@fmhi.usf.edu
Bergman
Elizabeth
E
Schonfeld
Lawrence
L
Molinari
Victor
V
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D010465:Perception; D014481:United States