A structural equation model of the relation between socioeconomic status, physical activity level, independence and health status in older Iranian peopleShow others and affiliations
2017 (English)In: Archives of gerontology and geriatrics (Print), ISSN 0167-4943, E-ISSN 1872-6976, Vol. 70, no May-June, p. 123-129Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background and aim: Health status is an independent predictor of mortality, morbidity and functioning in older people. The present study was designed to evaluate the link between socioeconomic status (SES), physical activity (PA), independence (I) and the health status (HS) of older people in Iran, using structural equation modelling.
Methods: Using computerized randomly selection, a representative sample of 851 75-year-olds living in Tehran (2007–2008), Iran, was included. Participants answered questions regarding indicators of HS, SES and also PA and I through interviews. Both measurement and conceptual models of our hypotheses were tested using Mplus 5. Maximum-likelihood estimation with robust standard errors (MLR estimator), chi-square tests, the goodness of fit index (and degrees of freedom), as well as the Comparative Fit Index (CFI), and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RSMEA) were used to evaluate the model fit.
Results: The measurement model yielded a reasonable fit to the data, χ2 = 110.93, df = 38; CFI = 0.97; RMSEA = 0.047, with 90% C.I. = 0.037–0.058. The model fit for the conceptual model was acceptable; χ2 = 271.64, df = 39; CFI = 0.91; RMSEA = 0.084, with 90% C.I. = 0.074–0.093. SES itself was not a direct predictor of HS (β = 0.13, p = 0.059) but it was a predictor of HS either through affecting PA (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) or I (β = 0.57, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Socioeconomic status appeared to influence health status, not directly but through mediating some behavioral and self-confidence aspects including physical activity and independence in ADL.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2017. Vol. 70, no May-June, p. 123-129
Keywords [en]
ADL, Health, Independence, Old people, Physical activity, Socio-economic status, Structural equation model
National Category
Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-30110DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2017.01.004ISI: 000399481500017PubMedID: 28131051Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85010288556OAI: oai:DiVA.org:miun-30110DiVA, id: diva2:1073973
2017-02-142017-02-142017-06-09Bibliographically approved