With the recent proliferation of functional assessment measures, there has been a parallel growth in interest comparing self-reported and performance-based measures of physical functioning. Although researchers have examined the association of these measures, information on how specific factors influence the observed discrepancies within different domains of reported functioning is missing. This paper examines the demographic, health, psychological, and behavioral characteristics that contribute to the observed discrepancies between three domains of self-reported (ADL, gross motor functioning, and physical activity) and performance-based measures of physical functioning. Data from the MacArthur Research Network on Successful Aging Community Study, a longitudinal three-site cohort study of high functioning Americans 70-79 in 1988 (re-interviewed in 1991 and 1995), are used to investigate these relationships over time. Regression analyses suggest that different determinants influence the observed discrepancies within different domains of reported functioning. While discrepancies within the domain of ADL and gross motor functioning are particularly influenced by psychological attributes (mastery and self-efficacy), those within the domain of gross motor functioning and physical activity are affected by health behaviors (BMI and alcohol consumption). Furthermore, only within the domain of ADL does change in cognitive performance influence discrepancies between reported and performed measures. The findings suggest that when assessing the physical functioning of older persons, investigators who rely on reported measures should pay attention to the psychological and behavioral characteristics of their subjects. Although easier to administer than performance measures, self-report measures appear to be more strongly confounded by psychological attributes and health behaviors than are performance-based assessments.
Learning Objectives: The participants in this session will be able to: 1.Identify factors that contribute to the discrepancies between three domains of self-reported (ADL, gross motor functioning, and physical activity) and performance-based measures of physical funtioning. 2. Describe the longitudinal association between self-reported and performance-based measures of physical functioning.
Keywords: Aging, Disability
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.