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Using longitudinal data on older Mexican Americans and Anglos, we examined predictors of functioning and well-being over an eight-year period. Mean declines in measures of activity, health, and psychological well-being were observed in the 254 subjects followed-up, but these declines were not large. Residualized multiple regression analysis showed that Time 2 values of our dependent variables were significantly predicted by their Time 1 values. Age predicted declines in activity levels, while less educated subjects and those reporting lower levels of functional health were more likely to report declines in self-rated health. Less educated subjects were also more likely to report increased psychological distress. Finally, declines in life satisfaction were associated with higher initial levels of psychological distress. These findings are generally in agreement with those found by Palmore et al. (1985) in a different population of older people.
Markides et al. (Thu,) studied this question.