Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Femia, E. E.
Right arrow Articles by Johansson, B.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Femia, E. E.
Right arrow Articles by Johansson, B.
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 56:P12-P23 (2001)
© 2001 The Gerontological Society of America

RESEARCH ARTICLE

The Disablement Process in Very Late Life

A Study of the Oldest-Old in Sweden

Elia E. Femiaa, Steven H. Zarita and Boo Johanssonb

a The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
b University College of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden

Elia E. Femia, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Henderson S-110, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 E-mail: femia{at}erols.com.

Decision Editor: Toni C. Antonucci, PhD

The study examines physical and functional health problems and their relationship to the activity of daily living (ADL) disability experience of a cross-section of Swedish men and women aged over 80 years (N = 203). Using a model of disablement, the relationships among disability variables were simultaneously explored. Results confirmed relatively high rates of disability in this age group, with 36% of respondents having some basic ADL difficulty. Functional impairments (vision and grip strength) and functional limitations (upper and lower body limitations and cognition) were strongly related to disability, with functional limitations being a main driving force for disability. The role of psychosocial variables (depression, subjective health, and social integration) was explored through subsequent model testing. Results showed depression, subjective health, and social integration to potentially mediate the influence of risk factors, impairments, and limitations in the model. The study suggests that modifying psychosocial experiences can greatly affect the disability experience.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Rehabil Couns BullHome page
J. S. Wadsworth, N. Estrada-Hernandez, C. M. Kampfe, and S. M. Smith
Economic Outcome of Employment for Older Participants in Rehabilitation Services Funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration
Rehabil Couns Bull, January 1, 2008; 51(2): 107 - 117.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 GerontologistHome page
E. Braungart Fauth, S. H. Zarit, B. Malmberg, and B. Johansson
Physical, Cognitive, and Psychosocial Variables From the Disablement Process Model Predict Patterns of Independence and the Transition Into Disability for the Oldest-Old
Gerontologist, October 1, 2007; 47(5): 613 - 624.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 GerontologistHome page
Y. Jang, W. E. Haley, B. J. Small, and J. A. Mortimer
The Role of Mastery and Social Resources in the Associations Between Disability and Depression in Later Life
Gerontologist, December 1, 2002; 42(6): 807 - 813.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals The Gerontologist
Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Copyright © 2001 by The Gerontological Society of America.