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Biomedical subjects

R J Bosscher

Publications and source records attributed to R J Bosscher.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

[Unhealthy lifestyles during the life course: association with physical decline in late life].

This study aimed to examine the association between unhealthy lifestyle in young age, midlife and/or old age and physical decline in old age, and to examine the association between chronic exposure to an unhealthy lifestyle throughout life and physical decline in old age. The study sample included 1297 respondents of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). Lifestyle in old age (55-85 y) was assessed at baseline, while lifestyle in young age (around 25 y) and midlife (around 40 y) were assessed retrospectively. Lifestyle factors included physical activity, body mass index (BMI), number of alcohol drinks per week and smoking. Physical decline was calculated as change in physical performance score between baseline and six-year follow-up. Of the lifestyle factors present in old age, a BMI of 25-29 vs. BMI <25 kg/m2 (odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.2) and a BMI of > or =30 vs. BMI <25 kg/m2 (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.2-2.7) were associated with physical decline in old age. Being physically inactive in old age was not significantly associated with an increased risk of physical decline, however, being physically inactive both in midlife and in old age increased the odds of physical decline in old age to 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.4) as compared to respondents who were physically inactive in midlife and physically active in old age. Being overweight in both age periods was associated with an OR of 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.2). These data suggest that overweight in old age, and chronic exposure to physical inactivity or overweight throughout life increases the risk of physical decline in old age. Therefore, physical activity and prevention of overweight at all ages should be stimulated to prevent physical decline in old age.

Adult↗

[Fear of falling: psychometric aspects of Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale].

In this article we report on the psychometric characteristics of Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale. It appears that the scale is homogenous and has good internal consistency. Expected associations with age, gender, physical activity, chronic diseases and history of falls were confirmed. It is concluded that the scale is a reliable and valid instrument to measure fear of falling in performing everyday activities inside the house.

Accidental Falls↗

Confirmatory factor analysis of the General Self-Efficacy Scale.

A confirmatory factor analysis of the factor structure of the adapted General Self-Efficacy Scale, created by Sherer et al. (1982) [Psychological Reports, 51, 663-671], was conducted to assess whether the scale's purported 3 factors emerged. The results generally supported the 3-factor model, but a model with 3 correlated factors and one higher-order factor (general self-efficacy) proved to fit the data even better.

Aged↗

Physical activity and self-rated health among 55- to 89-year-old Dutch people.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of physical activity and the possible mediating role of perceived physical self-efficacy (PPSE) on self-rated health (SRH) in the 55- to 89-year-old Dutch population. The data are based on a structured interview carried out in a random sample of 120 subjects--60 men and 60 women with the average ages of 69 and 71 years, respectively--in Sassenheim, the Netherlands, as a pilot study of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). The results of linear multiple regression analyses showed that physical activity was a significant predictor of self-rated health. Moreover, the results supported the role of PPSE as a mediator in the association between physical activity and self-rated health status even when age, gender, and chronic diseases were controlled. These findings suggest that in the elder population, increasing perceived physical self-efficacy may be more important for perceived health than raising the level of physical activity.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Physical performance and physical self-efficacy in the elderly. A pilot study.

This study examined the relationship between physical performance and physical self-efficacy beliefs in older adults. It was hypothesized that subjects who perform better on physical tasks would show more positive beliefs of physical self-efficacy. Information was obtained from 124 subjects (61 men and 63 women) aged 55 to 85 years. Tests of mobility, strength, and dexterity were administered, as well as a self-report questionnaire of physical self-efficacy. Although most physical performance indexes were observed to be at lower levels after 75 years of age, physical self-efficacy beliefs in women did not show this pattern if the drop in physical performance was relatively small. Male subjects in the age group of 75 years and older however, showed substantial lower levels of performance in most of the tests, which was associated with more negative beliefs of physical self-efficacy. This was corroborated by multiple regression analyses, showing that sex was a significant predictor of physical self-efficacy beliefs in most performance tests. This prediction was moderated by age such that older men had more negative beliefs of physical self-efficacy than older women.

Age Factors↗

Well-being and control in older persons: the prediction of well-being from control measures.

The interrelation of six facets of control and their ability to predict well-being in older persons were studied in an age and gender stratified community sample aged fifty-five to eighty-nine. An extended conceptual framework of control facets is introduced including "established" facets, such as mastery, self-efficacy and internal health locus of control and "new" control facets such as neuroticism, social inadequacy, and sense of coherence. An interview and a postal questionnaire included measures of the control facets and the Affect Balance Scale. Correlations between control measures were mostly modest. Negative affect was predicted by neuroticism and sense of coherence. Tendencies of independent association of mastery with global well-being and of social inadequacy with positive affect were established.

Adaptation, Psychological↗