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Reitzes DC, Mutran EJ. Self and health: factors that encourage self-esteem and functional health. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006;61(1):S44-51doi: 10.1093/geronb/61.1.s44.
Reitzes, D. C., & Mutran, E. J. (2006). Self and health: factors that encourage self-esteem and functional health. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 61(1), S44-51. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/61.1.s44
Reitzes, Donald C, and Mutran, Elizabeth J. "Self and health: factors that encourage self-esteem and functional health." The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences vol. 61,1 (2006): S44-51. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/61.1.s44
Reitzes DC, Mutran EJ. Self and health: factors that encourage self-esteem and functional health. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006 Jan;61(1):S44-51. doi: 10.1093/geronb/61.1.s44. PMID: 16399950.
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J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2006 Jan;61(1):S44-51. doi: 10.1093/geronb/61.1.s44.

Self and health: factors that encourage self-esteem and functional health.

The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences

Donald C Reitzes, Elizabeth J Mutran

Affiliations

  1. Georgia State University, Department of Sociology, University Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. [email protected]

PMID: 16399950 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/61.1.s44

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We are interested in whether functional health enhances self-esteem, as well as whether self-esteem, worker, parent, and friend identities are related to changes in functional health over a 2-year period of study.

METHODS: Data were collected in 1992 and 1994 from 737 older workers living in a North Carolina metropolitan area. Functional health is derived from questions asking respondents about their difficulties performing seven activities. We use Rosenberg's (1965) 10-item scale to tap self-esteem, and identities are measured with 10 adjective pairs that cover being competent, confident, and sociable as a worker, parent, and friend.

RESULT: Several findings are of interest. Better functional health is associated with greater self-esteem over 2 years, and self-esteem is positively related to changes in functional health. In addition, worker identity and some social background factors are associated with positive changes in self-esteem.

DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that good health may contribute to positive self assessments, but also the less well-studied expectation that self processes are associated with positive changes in health. Individuals may be motivated by their desire to affirm a sense of self-worth and positive identities to maintain and improve their physical health.

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