Gloria L Krahn1, Rie Suzuki, Willi Horner-Johnson. 1. Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, Oregon Health & Science University, P.O. Box 574, Portland, OR 97201-0574, USA. gfk2@cdc.gov
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Self-rated health is used frequently as a measure of health in the general population, and increasingly with persons with disabilities. However, its meaning and its relationship with other measures of self-reported health (health status and secondary conditions) are not well understood for this group. The purpose of the present study was to use a conceptual model to examine the structure of self-rated health with persons with spinal cord injuries. METHODS: A US sample of 270 adults with mobility impairment stemming from spinal cord injury (SCI) provided data on three measures of self-reported health that differ in degree of subjectivity: physical problems common to SCI, four domains of health status from the SF-36, and a single item on self-rated health. Data were compared with the norm sample of the SF-36. The conceptual model was tested using path analyses. RESULTS: SF-36 scores were lower on three of four domains compared with the norm sample. The conceptual model analyses indicated that 35% of variance in self-rated health is accounted for through direct relationship with physical secondary conditions common to persons with SCI and as mediated through SF-36 domains of Role Physical and Vitality. The SF-36 domain of Physical Function was statistically unrelated to self-rated health. CONCLUSION: The conceptual model of self-rated health was verified in a sample of persons with SCI. Importantly, the SF-36 domain of Physical Function does not relate to self-rated health for this group. Its inclusion in measures of self-reported for disability populations creates difficulty without apparent benefit.
OBJECTIVE: Self-rated health is used frequently as a measure of health in the general population, and increasingly with persons with disabilities. However, its meaning and its relationship with other measures of self-reported health (health status and secondary conditions) are not well understood for this group. The purpose of the present study was to use a conceptual model to examine the structure of self-rated health with persons with spinal cord injuries. METHODS: A US sample of 270 adults with mobility impairment stemming from spinal cord injury (SCI) provided data on three measures of self-reported health that differ in degree of subjectivity: physical problems common to SCI, four domains of health status from the SF-36, and a single item on self-rated health. Data were compared with the norm sample of the SF-36. The conceptual model was tested using path analyses. RESULTS: SF-36 scores were lower on three of four domains compared with the norm sample. The conceptual model analyses indicated that 35% of variance in self-rated health is accounted for through direct relationship with physical secondary conditions common to persons with SCI and as mediated through SF-36 domains of Role Physical and Vitality. The SF-36 domain of Physical Function was statistically unrelated to self-rated health. CONCLUSION: The conceptual model of self-rated health was verified in a sample of persons with SCI. Importantly, the SF-36 domain of Physical Function does not relate to self-rated health for this group. Its inclusion in measures of self-reported for disability populations creates difficulty without apparent benefit.
Authors: Margaret A Nosek; Rosemary B Hughes; Nancy J Petersen; Heather B Taylor; Susan Robinson-Whelen; Margaret Byrne; Robert Morgan Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2006-03 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: So Eyun Park; Stacy Elliott; Vanessa K Noonan; Nancy P Thorogood; Nader Fallah; Allan Aludino; Marcel F Dvorak Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2016-08-31 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: N Mavaddat; E Sadler; L Lim; K Williams; E Warburton; A L Kinmonth; J Mant; J Burt; C McKevitt Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2018-04-02 Impact factor: 3.921