What Factors Shape Self-Reported Health Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults? A Scoping Review

Can J Aging. 2021 Jun;40(2):177-192. doi: 10.1017/S0714980820000124. Epub 2020 Aug 6.

Abstract

Self-reported health is a predictive measure of morbidity and mortality across populations. A comprehensive understanding of the factors that shape self-reported health among community-dwelling older adults, a growing population globally, is lacking. The aim of this review was to summarize the factors that are associated with self-reported health among this population and identify key areas for future research. Accordingly, we conducted a scoping review using the stage-wise framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley. We summarized 42 factors, as identified in 30 publications, and organized them into four categories. Key factors shaping self-reported health included the presence of chronic conditions and depressive symptoms. As the population of community-dwelling older adults continues to increase, there remains a need to understand how these identified factors shape self-reported health. To date, empirical research has been limited to observational and cross-sectional designs. There is a need to further explore these factors in longitudinal data.

Keywords: aging; collectivité; community-dwelling; depressive symptoms; multimorbidity; multimorbidité; older adults; personnes âgées; santé autodéclarée; santé autoévaluée; self-reported health; symptômes dépressifs; vieillissement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Independent Living*
  • Self Report