engleski

Cohort differences in psychosocial and health characteristics of older people in Croatia - implications for providers of psychosocial care

Different models have described the role that psychosocial factors display in the prediction of health, and their moderating role in the prediction of survival in old age. Few models of these associations with regard to cohort effects have been offered. The challenge for professionals providing care to older persons is to assess, monitor and promptly adjust the care services to the changing needs of each person. Cohort differences should be taken into account when planning care for older population. The aim of this research was to investigate the differences in psychosocial characteristics for different cohort groups of old persons in Croatia, in order to improve planning for psychosocial care services. Participants came from three studies: the 1979 study sample consisted of 152, the 1994 sample of 186, and the 1998 sample of 814 participants, all older than 65 years. Variables measured were: sociodemographic, subjective health, psychosomatic complaints, and functional ability. Measurement scales were administered individually, in the form of structured interview, by the trained interviewer. Cohort differences were confirmed in subjective health and functional ability, which improved in younger cohorts, while psychosomatic complaints declined in younger cohorts. However, sociodemographic characteristics show specific effects in the observed psychosocial variables in different cohorts. The differences were confirmed in psychosocial characteristics of different cohorts of old persons in Croatia. The trends of these differences should be taken into account in the planning of psychosocial care services for old persons.

ageing; care services; cohort differences; psychosocial characteristics

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