Appropriateness of self-care responses to symptoms among elders: Identifying pathways of influence

Citation
Sr. Edwardson et Kj. Dean, Appropriateness of self-care responses to symptoms among elders: Identifying pathways of influence, RES NURS H, 22(4), 1999, pp. 329-339
Citations number
64
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science
Journal title
RESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH
ISSN journal
01606891 → ACNP
Volume
22
Issue
4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
329 - 339
Database
ISI
SICI code
0160-6891(199908)22:4<329:AOSRTS>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the separate and joint influenc es of sociodemographic, social situational (social support and interpersona l functioning), and symptom variables on the appropriateness of self-care r esponses to symptoms among elderly people. A cross-section al face-to-face structured interview of a sam pie of noninstitutionalized, English-speaking persons 65 and older living in Minneapolis was used. The theoretical frame work for the investigation was tested using graphical modeling techniques. A majority of the subjects responded appropriately to the symptoms they exp erienced. Gender was a key variable in understanding which of the sociodemo graphic, social support, interpersonal functioning, and symptom variables w ere related to the likelihood that individuals would engage in appropriate self-care. There appear to be fundamental differences in the influence of t he social situational variables for men and women. if these results are con firmed in future studies, different intervention strategies may be needed f or assisting elderly men and women in interpreting and responding to their symptoms. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.