THE RELATIONSHIPS OF HEALTH TO AFFECT ASSESSED IN BOTH STATE AND TRAIT FORM - HOW DOES AGE IMPACT THE RELATIONSHIPS

The purpose of this study was to compare the relationships of health t o both state and trait affects. A secondary goal was to determine if t hese relationships are affected by age. Using structural equation mode ling, the latent variable health (pain, self-rated health and a count of health conditions) was regressed on the latent variables state and trait positive affects, and state and trait negative affects. Age and sex were treated as covariates. Results indicated that trait negative affect and state positive affect are associated with health, suggestin g that multiple processes may account for the affect/health relationsh ip. Furthermore, when age was entered into the model, it was found tha t age is related to presence of disease, but unrelated to subjective r atings of health.