Abstract
Objectives: Physical function impairment can cause great stress to older adults. The purpose of the study is to investigate the association between self-reported and directly-observed physical function on perceived stress among U.S. Chinese older adults.
Methods: Data were from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE) of 3,157 Chinese older adults who were 60 and above in the Greater Chicago Area. Self-reported and directly-observed physical function measures, and Perceived Stress Scale were used.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 72.8 ± 8.3 years old (range 60-105). Higher scores of Katz activities of daily living impairments (odds ratio [OR]=1.77), Lawton instrumental activities of daily living impartments (OR=1.10, p<0.01), Rosow–Breslau index of mobility scale (OR=1.39, p<0.05), and Nagi index of basic physical activities scale (OR=1.19, p<0.001) were associated with higher levels of perceived stress. In addition, higher scores of directly-observed physical function measurements, including chair stand (OR=0.93), tandem stand (OR=0.71, p<0.05), timed walk (OR=0.73, p<0.001), and the overall measurement (OR= 0.87, p<0.01) were associated with lower level of perceived stress.
Discussion: Findings suggested that poor physical function was associated with perceived stress among U.S. Chinese older adults. Longitudinal studies are needed to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the pathways between physical function and perceived stress.
Implications for practice: Nursing professionals could provide personalized physical activity interventions to encourage older adults to engage in regular exercise in order to maintain and promote older adults’ physical function and psychological well-being.
Keywords
Physical function, Perceived stress, Chinese, Older adults, Immigrants