Physical and mental health in later life: the self-system as mediator

The purpose of this research was to investigate how the self-system mediates the relationship between physical health and mental health in elderly women. Three theoretical perspectives were examined: social integration (self in relationship to the social structure), social comparisons (self in relationship to others), and self-discrepancies (internal self-evaluations). Community-dwelling elderly women (N = 243) completed self-report instruments measuring the various self-assessments, physical health, and 3 mental health outcomes: psychological distress, well-being, and developmental outcomes. Social integration and social comparisons mediated the effects of physical health on all 3 outcomes.