Sense of mastery, social support, and health in elderly Canadians.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the structural relationships among sense of mastery (SOM), income level, social support, physical health, and stress in older Canadians, while controlling for demographic characteristics.

METHOD: This research uses data collected in the National Population Health Survey on Canadians aged 65 years and older (N = 1,399).

RESULTS

Higher income predicts better health and more social support, which, in turn, predicts higher SOM. The relationship between physical health and stress is fully mediated through SOM for both genders. The SOM fully mediates the relationship between social support and stress for men and partially mediates this relationship for women.

DISCUSSION: Findings confirm the importance of a network of social services targeting older persons with low income, diminished physical health, and/or those living alone.