Abstract
The short clinical version of the Physical Self-Perception Profile – (CPSPP) was constructed to measure self-perceptions in the physical domain in older people and patients in clinical and rehabilitation settings. It is made up of subscales to assess perceptions of physical function, physical health, strength, sports competence, body attractiveness and also overall physical self-worth (PSW). Using confirmatory factor analysis, the present study tested the factorial validity of CPSPP, with 1002 Portuguese participants aged 65 or more (74.39 ± 7.11). This included 501 males (74.26 ± 7.08) and 501 females (74.52 ± 7.15) from private and social security institutions or who were living alone but attending senior daily care centres in clinical and rehabilitation settings. Cronbach Alpha values for subscales ranged from .64–.80, showing adequate to very good internal consistency. Linear regression results showed that the Function subscale alone was able to explain 62.2% of the total variance of PSW in males and 43.3% in females. Together, Function, Body and Strength subscales were able to explain 73.7% of the total PSW variance in males and 60.1% in females. In confirmatory factor analysis, a model of five correlated latent variables showed a better goodness of fit for female than for male participants. However the goodness of fit obtained for the total sample was satisfactory with NFI = .89, IFI = .90, CFI = .90 and RMSEA = .08. Results support the future use of the instrument for assessment of physical self-perceptions with this population and may be particularly useful in rehabilitation and exercise therapy settings.
Highlights
Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (World Health Organisation, 2014)
The physical Self by self and positive levels of mental health and well-being are important across all ages but they remain relevant in later life
Results from this study with a large and diverse sample of older Portuguese participants reveal similar and logical patterns, including mean and standard deviations ranges for all subdomains both in male and female subgroups when compared with earlier studies with the CPSPP (Fox et al, 2007; Ferreira et al, 2008)
Summary
Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (World Health Organisation, 2014). Self-esteem is seen as a key component of mental health through its role as a buffer against the impact of negative life influences (Mann, Hosman, Schaalma, & de Vries, 2004). In some cultures, reaching old age might be accompanied by high social status and respect. It may be dominated by factors such as a decline in physical and cognitive function, loss of independence, less physical activity and engagement with friends and community, perceived reduced role in life (Manthorpe & Iliffe, 2009). Delineation and measurement of the components of the physical self can help to inform the targeting of interventions designed to influence broader elements of mental health in older adults
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