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Cultural correlates of self perceived health status among Chinese elderly

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Abstract

This study examines self-perceived physical and mental health among 213Chinese elderly who visited the Geriatric Outpatient Clinic of BeijingHospital, the People‘s Republic of China. The study hypothesizes thatcultural factors, specified by family relations, along with demographicfactors, number of diseases, economic well-being, and living conditionshave a significant impact on subjects self-perceived health status.Pearson correlation, linear and logistic regression analyses areperformed. Results indicate that age, number of diseases, perceived familyrespect, neighborhood relations, and percentage of income spent on rentare significant predictors of self-perceived physical health. These samefactors plus preference to live with a son and personal monthly income aresignificant predictors of self-perceived mental health. Socio-culturalimplications of these findings are examined.

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Yu, L.C., Zhang, A.Y., Draper, P. et al. Cultural correlates of self perceived health status among Chinese elderly. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology 12, 73–89 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006545521022

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