Positive and Negative Affect and Health Functioning Indicators among Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Kenneth Gruber, Evaluation Section Chair (Creator)
- Jie Hu, Associate Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Emotional states have been linked with physical and mental health outcomes. In this study the role of positive and negative affect was investigated as determinants of health functioning for a community-dwelling sample of 153 older adults (age 60 or older) with chronic illnesses. High positive affect and low negative affect were found to be associated with lower levels of symptom distress, fewer depressive symptoms, higher daily activity scores, and higher perceived physical and mental health-related quality of life. These results have important clinical implications for the use of positive and negative affect as an indicator of life functioning among older adults. The relationship of positive and negative affect to reported health functioning found in this study suggests that measuring affect can provide a valuable means for understanding how individuals view their mental health as well as their symptoms of illness.
Positive and Negative Affect and Health Functioning Indicators among Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses
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Created on 9/1/2010
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 29(8), 895-911.
- Language: English
- Date: 2008
- Keywords
- Chronic illness, Older people, Health functioning indicators, Emotional aspects