Social status, physical, mental health, well-being and self evaluation of elderly in China

This study examined self perceived physical and mental health, general well-being, social status and self evaluation among a group of Chinese elderly (N=240, age range 65-94) who visited a geriatric outpatient clinic in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The instrument measured five areas of interest: (1) disease patterns; (2) perceived physical and mental health; (3) general well-being; (4) social-economic status and (5) self evaluation. The results showed that the illiterate elderly reported lower self-evaluation scores than all other groups (p<0.05). In general, men gave themselves higher selfevaluation scores than women (p<0.05). The blue-collar group had lower general wellbeing scores (p<0.05) than the other occupational groups. These findings were discussed within social, cultural, political and historical contexts in China.