MPC Member Publications

This database contains a listing of population studies publications written by MPC Members. Anyone can add a publication by an MPC student, faculty, or staff member to this database; new citations will be reviewed and approved by MPC administrators.

Full Citation

Title: Agency and subjective health from early adulthood to mid-life: evidence from the prospective Youth Development Study

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2022

ISBN: 0123456789

ISSN: 2731-0469

DOI: 10.1007/S44155-022-00006-0

Abstract: Understanding the determinants of subjective or self-rated health (SRH) is of central importance because SRH is a significant correlate of actual health as well as mortality. A large body of research has examined the correlates, antecedents, or presumed determinants of SRH, usually measured at a given time or endpoint. In the present study, we investigate whether individual mastery, a prominent indicator of agency, has a positive effect on SRH over a broad span of the life course. Drawing on longitudinal data from the Youth Development Study (n = 741), we examine the impacts of mastery on SRH over a 24-year period (from ages 21–22 to 45–46). The findings of a fixed effects analysis, controlling time-varying educational attainment, unemployment, age, obesity, serious health diagnoses, and time-constant individual differences, lead us to conclude that mastery is a stable predictor of SRH from early adulthood to mid-life. This study provides evidence that psychological resources influence individuals’ subjective assessment of their health, even when objective physical health variables and socioeconomic indicators are taken into account.

Url: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44155-022-00006-0

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Mortimer, Jeylan T.; Staff, Jeremy

Periodical (Full): Discover Social Science and Health 2022 2:1

Issue: 1

Volume: 2

Pages: 1-14

Countries:

IPUMS NHGIS NAPP IHIS ATUS Terrapop