Appropriateness of self-care responses to symptoms among elders: identifying pathways of influence

The purpose of the study was to investigate the separate and joint influences of sociodemographic, social situational (social support and interpersonal functioning), and symptom variables on the appropriateness of self-care responses to symptoms among elderly people. A cross-sectional face-to-face structured interview of a sample of noninstitutionalized, English-speaking persons 65 and older living in Minneapolis was used. The theoretical framework for the investigation was tested using graphical modeling techniques. A majority of the subjects responded appropriately to the symptoms they experienced. Gender was a key variable in understanding which of the sociodemographic, social support, interpersonal functioning, and symptom variables were related to the likelihood that individuals would engage in appropriate self-care. There appear to be fundamental differences in the influence of the social situational variables for men and women. If these results are confirmed in future studies, different intervention strategies may be needed for assisting elderly men and women in interpreting and responding to their symptoms.