title: Partner status and mental and physical health of independently living men aged 70 years and older.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and compare the mental health and physical functioning of community-dwelling men aged 70 years and over who live alone, and those who live with their partner/spouse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the baseline survey of the New South Wales 45 and Up Study. Mental health was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and physical health was measured using the Medical Outcome Short Form 36 physical functioning scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  37 690 community-dwelling men aged 70 years or over were included in the analyses. Men living alone were more likely to have high psychological distress scores and lower physical functioning scores compared to men living with a spouse/partner within each age group, except those 85 and over.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Specific health and welfare programs targeted to the increasing number of older men living alone may be needed to address their higher levels of psychological distress and lower levels of physical functioning.
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byles
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vo
authors.affiliation: Priority Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mackenzie
authors.affiliation: ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.|Centre for Research on Ageing, Health, and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Hal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kendig
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology*; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: ageing; mental health; older men; partner status; physical functioning