Cultural comparison of chronic conditions, functional status, and acceptance in older African-American and White adults.
Acceptance of functional decline accompanying chronic illness is challenging for all elders, and even more so for African-American elders. This study examined functional status and the number, types, and acceptance of chronic conditions in 16 African-American and 46 White elders. African-American elders reported better functioning but resembled Whites in number of chronic conditions and acceptance. All African-Americans reported hypertension; 76% of Whites reported arthritis. Greater acceptance was correlated with fewer chronic conditions (r = -.23, p < .05) and better functioning (r = -.59, p < .01). Poorer functioning (i.e., functional disability) was correlated with more chronic conditions (r = .27, p < .05). Culturally sensitive interventions are needed to enhance elders' acceptance of chronic conditions and to improve their functioning.
McDonald
Patricia E
PE
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106-4904, USA. pxm9@case.edu
Zauszniewski
Jaclene A
JA
Bekhet
Abir K
AK
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology*; D000368:Aged; D001168:Arthritis / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000208:ethnology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D016852:Housing for the Elderly; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology*