title: Differentiating positive and negative self-rated health: results from a cross-sectional study in Estonia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine possible differences in the correlates of positive and negative self-rated health (SRH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for 2,127 men and 2,385 women in the 25-74 age group came from the Estonian Health Interview Survey 2006. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to study the association of socio-demographic, physical and psychological health and well-being characteristics with positive (good or very good) and negative (bad or very bad) SRH as compared to fair SRH.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Negative SRH was related to male gender, the presence of chronic illnesses, limitations in daily activities and physical functioning, emotional distress, an external locus of control, and to low satisfaction with life and physical fitness. These indicators (except satisfaction with life) were also related to positive SRH, presenting a mirrored pattern of association. Additionally, positive SRH was related to younger age, an Estonian ethnic identity, and to higher education and income.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although SRH forms a ill/healthy continuum when physical and psychological health characteristics are considered, the broader spectrum of predictors indicates that positive SRH and negative SRH are two distinct and alternative concepts.
authors: Department of Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. rainer.reile@ut.ee
authors: Rainer
authors: R
authors: Reile
authors: Mall
authors: M
authors: Leinsalu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004957:Estonia; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
references: Aging Clin Exp Res. 2002 Dec;14(6):499-508
references: 12674491
references: J Health Psychol. 2006 Jan;11(1):21-35
references: 16314378
references: Psychol Monogr. 1966;80(1):1-28
references: 5340840
references: J Health Psychol. 2002 Jul;7(4):459-68
references: 22112755
references: Cent Eur J Public Health. 2010 Dec;18(4):186-91
references: 21361100
references: Patient Educ Couns. 2008 Oct;73(1):73-81
references: 18583089
references: Soc Sci Med. 1994 Jul;39(1):77-83
references: 8066490
references: Int J Epidemiol. 2001 Apr;30(2):326-33
references: 11369738
references: Soc Sci Med. 2010 Sep;71(5):1018-26
references: 20598791
references: Eur J Public Health. 2004 Mar;14(1):32-6
references: 15080388
references: Int J Epidemiol. 1998 Apr;27(2):208-13
references: 9602400
references: Health Econ. 2015 May;24(5):516-38
references: 24677260
references: J Epidemiol Community Health. 2000 Mar;54(3):207-14
references: 10746115
references: J Clin Psychiatry. 1998;59 Suppl 20:22-33;quiz 34-57
references: 9881538
references: Med Care. 1994 Sep;32(9):930-42
references: 8090045
references: Ann Epidemiol. 2010 Oct;20(10):743-9
references: 20816313
references: J Clin Epidemiol. 2009 Feb;62(2):158-66
references: 18722089
references: Soc Sci Med. 2009 Aug;69(3):307-16
references: 19520474
references: Soc Sci Med. 1999 Jun;48(12):1713-20
references: 10405010
references: Soc Sci Med. 1999 May;48(9):1221-35
references: 10220021
references: Scand J Public Health. 2008 Jan;36(1):12-20
references: 18426780
references: Soc Sci Med. 2002 Sep;55(5):847-61
references: 12190275
references: Public Health. 2009 Feb;123(2):199-201
references: 19201431
references: Prev Med. 2003 Aug;37(2):73-81
references: 12855206
references: Eur J Public Health. 2009 Oct;19(5):458-63
references: 19570888
references: Milbank Q. 2005;83(3):397-423
references: 16201998
references: Int J Epidemiol. 1994 Dec;23(6):1273-81
references: 7721531
references: Soc Sci Med. 2003 Apr;56(8):1669-76
references: 12639584
references: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 1998 May;53(3):S144-52
references: 9602839
references: Soc Sci Med. 2003 Apr;56(7):1447-52
references: 12614696
references: Fam Pract. 2001 Apr;18(2):174-80
references: 11264268
references: Int J Public Health. 2008;53(4):171-9
references: 18716720
references: Ann Epidemiol. 2003 Feb;13(2):105-10
references: 12559669