Health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older Whites and African Americans.
OBJECTIVE
This study assesses structural and functional characteristics of Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) domains using community-based samples of older Whites and African Americans. Although the eight domains of the SF-36 have by convention been collapsed into two summary categories- physical health and mental health-the authors examine a three-factor model including physical health, mental health, and general well-being. They hypothesized that the general well-being factor would be a mediator between physical and mental health in both groups.


METHODS
Analyses using structural equation modeling provide support for the approach.


RESULTS
In both White and African American samples, the three-factor model demonstrated a better fit than the two-factor model. Also, in both groups, general well-being mediated the relationship between physical health and mental health.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that general well-being serves as an intervening step between physical and mental health in both White and African American older adults.
Jang
Yuri
Y
University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
Chiriboga
David A
DA
Borenstein
Amy R
AR
Small
Brent J
BJ
Mortimer
James A
JA
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005431:Florida; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*