Changes over 4 years in health, quality of life, mental health, and valuation of life.
OBJECTIVE
This longitudinal study explores how the relationship between changes in physical health and changes in valuation of life (VOL) may be affected by changes in quality of life and in mental health.


METHODS
335 community residents older than age 70 were interviewed over a 4-year period. Analysis used correlation and regression models.


RESULTS
The association between changes in health and changes in VOL was of little significance when quality of life and mental health mediators came into the picture.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important for practitioners and clinicians to recognize that the way many old persons view their time use and their psychological well-being may be more salient than their physical health as old persons consider the value of their lives. As Lawton and colleagues suggested,"health is not the only determinant of VOL and decrement not the only direction of change."
Moss
Miriam S
MS
Behavioral Research Institute, Sociology and Anthropology Department, Arcadia University, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038, USA.
Hoffman
Christine J
CJ
Mossey
Jana
J
Rovine
Michael
M
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011788:Quality of Life; D014481:United States; D026712:Value of Life