Psychological Disposition and Self-Reported Health in Old Age: An Examination of the Oldest Old in China

Zheng Wu, University of Victoria
Christoph M. Schimmele, University of Victoria

Using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (1998 and 2000), our analysis examines the effect psychological disposition has on self-rated health among the oldest old (those aged 80+) in China. China will continue to depend on non-medical and preventative strategies for promoting healthy ageing because of deficient public resources. Our principal objective is to identify whether psychological disposition represents an avenue toward successful ageing. Our findings demonstrate that a robust psychological disposition does indeed improve self-rated health. The influence of psychological disposition is independent of variance in health status, health bevaviours, gender, and major sociodemographic variables. Our findings also show that this effect differs between age groups, as the relationship between psychological disposition and self-rated health is significant for octogenarians and nonagenarians, but is non-significant for centenarians.