Association Between Self-perception Of Aging,physical Activity And Health Of Community-dwelling Elderly

Objective:This study used the cross-sectional survey to understand self-perception of aging,physical activity and the physical and mental health among the community elderly.Based on the stress and coping theory to analysis the relationship between physical activity,self-perception and the physical and mental health,To provide a scientific basis for improving health of community elderly people.Methods:In this study,364 elderly residents living in urban communities were selected from the Hubin community 、Dongfeng community in bengbu city from December 2018 to December 2019 by convenience sampling.which was investigated by using the Brief Aging Perceptions Questionnaire,Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly,University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale(evaluate one’s mental health),general information questionnaire and Physiological indicators(assess one’s physical health).Statistical description,univariate analysis,Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed using R3.6.3.Results1.The score of self-perception of aging among community elderly was(41.95±8.94),and the self-perception of aging had statistically significant differences in education level,per capita income,number of chronic diseases and self-rated health(P < 0.05).The score of the physical activity scale among community elderly was(139.12±51.74),and the difference of physical activity level in gender,age,marital status and residence status was statistically significant(P < 0.05).The score of loneliness among community elderly was(9.46±4.37).The differences of loneliness in gender,age,marital status,education level,living condition,number of chronic diseases and self-rated health were statistically significant(P < 0.05).2.The correlation coefficient between the scores of self-perception of aging and physical activity of the elderly in the community was(r=-0.193,P<0.05).The correlation coefficient between self-perception of aging and loneliness scores of the elderly in the community was(r=0.161,P<0.05).3.The results of multiple regression analysis showed that self-perception of aging(β=0.13,t=2.51,P<0.05)and physical activity score(β=0.13,t=2.59,P<0.05)proved to be positive predictors of loneliness,but the self-perception of aging and physical activity score could not predict the physiological health of the elderly.Conclusion:1.In term of self-perception of aging score,the higher the education level,higher the per capita income,the less the number of chronic diseases,the better self-rated health score lower in the community elderly.2.In term of physical activity score,female,the older,without spouses,live alone,the more the number of chronic diseases score lower in the community elderly.3.In term of loneliness score,female,the older,without spouses,illiteracy,live alone,the more the number of chronic diseases,the better self-rated health score higher in the community elderly.4.Self-perception of aging is related to subjective health,but not physiological health which use in this research.5.There may be other underlying mechanisms between Self-perception of aging and physiological health.