The influence of financial situation and friends' support on health self-perception of older adults

• Published in: Revista medíca de Chile 2020-02, Vol.148 (2), p.196-203
• Main Authors: Navarro, Regina M, Salazar-Fernández, Camila, Schnettler, Berta, Denegri, Marianela
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• ISSN: 0717-6163
• DOI: 10.4067/s0034-98872020000200196

BACKGROUNDThe Chilean population is aging rapidly. This socio-demographic change imposes psychosocial and economic challenges that are relevant for the health care of older people. AIMTo assess the association between perceived financial situation, perceived social support by friends, and age with health self-perception in older people. MATERIAL AND METHODSA questionnaire about health self-perception, financial situation, and social support perceived by friends was applied to 383 occupationally active adults aged 68 ± 5 years (66% women) living in urban areas of Southern Chile. A gender-based multi-group path model was specified, which evaluated the association of health self-perception with the assessment of the financial situation, social support, and age. RESULTSThe final model was moderated by gender. However, age was not associated with health self-perception. For men and women, the perceived financial situation showed a positive association with health self-perception. The perceived social support of friends was only significant for women. CONCLUSIONSThe financial situation and friends' support (among women) are factors that should be considered in the evaluation of the health perception of older adults.