Determinants of self-rated health items with different points of reference: implications for health measurement of older adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether three commonly used self-rated health (SRH) items (global, age-comparative, and self-comparative) are equivalent measures of health perception for older adults.

METHOD: Regression analyses were used to simultaneously contrast the associations between physical, psychological, and social factors relating to health for three SRH items, in a large ( N = 2,034) population-based sample of older adults (65 years and older) from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Aging.

RESULTS: Health perceptions were more positive for the age-comparative SRH measure, compared to the pessimistic ratings of the self-comparative measure, particularly for the oldest-old adults. Different patterns of associations between the health factors and SRH measures were found.

DISCUSSION: These results show the three SRH items are not equivalent measures of health and cannot be used interchangeably. The reference point of the SRH item has a considerable influence on health perceptions of older adults as it encapsulates unique health information.