Gender differences in positive life orientation among the nursing home elders in China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

IntroductionLife orientation among the nursing home elders would differ from those of community-dwelling elders due to the different living environment, but may have greater differences in gender. ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate the positive life orientation and explore the potential risk factors including gender disparities among nursing home elders in China. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Northeast China. Two steps cluster sampling procedure were chosen. Basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) systems were used to estimate the functional status. Positive life orientation was measured using the six-question life orientation scale (LOS). Results2512 nursing home elders were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participants was 73.14±6.746years. Of the 1308 men and 1204 women, 14.9% had a positive life orientation in women and 16.1% in men. Higher level of education, independent in BADL and IADL were related to positive life orientation both in men and women. Age and BMI were also found to be significantly associated with positive life orientation in men (OR=0.587, 1.132, respectively). For women, the influence of income and vision on positive life orientation was also significant (OR=1.967, 1.926, respectively). ConclusionThe positive life orientation was higher in men than women. The gender-specific differences contribute to take more effective measures to improve the positive life orientation.