Self-ratings of health: The influence of age and smoking status and the role of different explanatory models

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Abstract
The influence of five background variables (age-group. sex. work status. smoking status. household income) on four health ratings (current self-rating. estimated age/sex average rating, best possible self-rating. health satisfaction self-rating) was investigated in the context of a local survey with 377 respondents. Main effects of age-group. smoking status and work status on current health self-ratings were obtained as predicted. Age-group was also found to affect age/sex average ratings. health satisfaction and best possible health self-ratings, with smoking status also influencing the last of these. Mediation of the obtained effects was also examined by controlling for three independent self-report measures of health status in the analyses. Two relevant theoretical notions were examined in analysing the data. The health satisfaction findings as a function of age-group proved consistent with Multiple Discrepancies Theory. Strong support was obtained for a social representations approach. particularly through the direct effects (unmediated by the independent health status measures) of age-group on age/sex average health ratings and best possible health self-ratings. This suggests the contribution of a social consensus about age as having a negative influence on health status. Directions for further research are briefly outlined.

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