Gender Stratified Physical and Psychological Health Status and Its’ Correlation among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Background: Maintenance of physical and psychological health is crucial to prevent general health problemsin older persons. There is inadequate information on gender based physical and psychological health statusin older adults attending primary care clinics in Malaysia.Study Design: Cross-sectional studyMethods: 106 participants were required to perform physical performance tests consisting of 30secs chairstand (30sCS), chair sit and reach (CSR), back scratch (BS), timed up and go (TUG), single leg stance (SLS)and 2minutes walk (2MWT) tests. Psychological health measures consisted of Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS) and General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28).Results: Only CSR was found to be significantly higher in men (M= 1.27, SD= 3.1) compared to women(M= -0.88, SD= 3.67). A significant correlation (p<0.05) was found only in men between GHQ-28 and 30seconds sit to stand test (r= -0.424), TUG (r= 0.361) and 2 Minute walk test (r= -0.436).Conclusion: Older males and females had similar physical and psychological measures except for lowerlimb flexibility which was greater in females. Lower physical performance (lower body strength, mobilityand endurance) correlated with higher psychological issues in older males. There may be a need to considerdistinct physical and psychological needs between genders in order to provide optimum health preventionand management stategies among older adults.