title: Primary care supply moderates the impact of diseases on self-perceptions of aging.
abstract: Self-perceptions of aging, important indicators of successful aging, are closely linked to health. Previous research has mainly examined the role of individual factors on self-perceptions of aging, but health is partly dependent on contextual factors such as primary care supply. This study therefore examined whether the impact of diseases on self-perceptions of aging is buffered by primary care supply in the district, as it ensures sustained health care continuity. Nationally representative German survey data on health and self-perceptions of aging (N = 4,442, 40-85 years) were linked to primary care supply (general practitioner density in regional districts). Multilevel modeling shows that the impact of disease burden (multiple illnesses) was buffered by primary care supply: Disease burden was less strongly associated with negative self-perceptions of aging in districts with good primary health care supply. This underlines the importance of health care resources for successful aging.
authors: Institute of Psychogerontology, Friedrich-Alexander- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg.
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Wurm
authors: German Centre of Gerontology.
authors: Julia K
authors: JK
authors: Wolff
authors: School of Psychology, University of Tasmania.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Schüz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept