Enhancing mastery and sense of coherence: important determinants of health in older adults.

The purpose of the study was to expand existing knowledge of the determinants of health for community-dwelling young-old and old-old people. A subsample (n = 2413) from the Health Canada Supplement to the 1994 National Population Health Survey was analyzed. The factors examined were biographic attributes, sociodemographic indicators, sense of coherence (SOC), mastery, self-esteem, informal social support, and use of health care services. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that mastery and SOC were strongly related to health status and perceived health. Strategies discussed herein will help practitioners ensure that older adults' mastery and SOC are supported and enhanced.