Intraindividual Variability in Late-Life Functional Limitations Among White, Black, and Hispanic Older Adults: Implications for the Weathering Hypothesis

Consistent with the weathering hypothesis, many studies have captured racial/ethnic disparities in average functional health trajectories. The same mechanisms of social inequality that contribute to worse average health among minority adults may also contribute to greater fluctuations in their physi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Research on aging 2017-04, Vol.39 (4), p.549-572
Main Authors: Lin, Jielu, Kelley-Moore, Jessica
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Apples
Black people
Comorbidity
Disadvantaged
Ethnic differences
Ethnicity
Functional impairment
Health
Health disparities
Hispanic Americans
Minority & ethnic groups
Older people
Panel data
Physical ability
Race
Racial differences
Racial inequality
Retirement
Social inequality
Socioeconomic status
Variability
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Summary:Consistent with the weathering hypothesis, many studies have captured racial/ethnic disparities in average functional health trajectories. The same mechanisms of social inequality that contribute to worse average health among minority adults may also contribute to greater fluctuations in their physical function at upper ages. Using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, we examine patterns of intraindividual variability over time in trajectories of functional limitations for White, Black, and Hispanic older adults. Intraindividual variability increases with age for both Whites and Blacks and such increase is greater for Blacks. Hispanics have the greatest intraindividual variability but there is no age-based pattern. Socioeconomic status and comorbidity are associated with intraindividual variability for all race/ethnicity yet do not explain the age-based increase in intraindividual variability for Whites or Blacks. The findings suggest further nuances to the weathering hypothesis—social disadvantage can generate instability in physical function as minority adults age.
ISSN:0164-0275
1552-7573
DOI:10.1177/0164027516655583