Characterizing self-rated health during a period of changing health status

Self-rated health (SRH) is among the most frequently assessed health perceptions. The purpose of this study was to assess the tenability of the recently proposed distinctions of SRH, as a spontaneous assessment of overall health, or as an enduring self-concept. Individuals (n = 449) undergoing total joint replacement for hip or knee osteoarthritis in Toronto. Canada were followed over 6 months of recovery Health questionnaires, completed pre-surgery, and at 3 and 6 months post-surgery, included measures of pain, physical function, sports/recreation, fatigue, anxiety, depression, social participation, passive/active recreation, and community access. Structural equation modeling was used for the analyses SRH was found to be responsive to current and changing mental well-being throughout the six months of recovery. Current SRH strongly predicted future SRH In this clinical sample undergoing significant changes in health status, SRH displayed both enduring and spontaneous features, evidence is provided that both operate simultaneously. SRH may prove to be a simple yet critical health measure for identifying individuals who would benefit most from targeted interventions for improving overall health (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.