How Self-Rated is Self-Rated Health? Exploring the Role of Individual and Institutional Factors in Reporting Heterogeneity in Russia

Abstract

In recent years the literature exploring the state dependent nature of individual self-rated health has grown rapidly. We contribute to this ‘reporting heterogeneity’ research field in two main ways. First, we are among the few studies to examine the determinants of reporting heterogeneity in self-rated health in the Russian context. Second, echoing the social determinants of health literature, we augment the standard battery of individual level socioeconomic and demographic characteristics with aggregated macro level variables serving as proxies for local environmental and social conditions. We are not aware of other heterogeneity studies that have incorporated this approach. Estimating a generalized ordered probit model we resolve the identification problem through the inclusion of an objective disease index. In terms of reporting heterogeneity, we find that response behaviour is systematically influenced by individual characteristics but also by aggregate regional socioeconomic characteristics. In particular, the finding that an individual’s relative standing in their local economy can condition their response to subjective health questionnaires is important and merits further examination. We argue that both a relative income mechanism and a mechanism that links the cognitive process of choice with the sense of optimism that individuals have for their institutional environment are plausible explanations for the observed aggregate level effects.

Association between changed self-rated health and the risk of venous thromboembolism in Malmö Preventive Program: a cohort study

“…The presence of economic crises in society may be one explanation for the changes in SRH, where more women than men seem to be affected negatively [ 42 ]. Recent research has also claimed that personal finances can disrupt the assessment of one’s self-rated health [ 43 ] and should be adjusted for. The re-examination was made between 2002 and 2006, when the unemployment rate was lower compared to during the economic crisis in Sweden during 1990–1994 [ 44 ] and, prior to the economic crisis causing a recession period in Europe between 2008 and 2011 [ 42 ].…”

Constraints to travel outside the local area: Effect on social participation and self-rated health

“…Anciaes and P. Metcalfe status, with some variations in the reference period, scales used, and wording of questions and possible answers. Self-rated health is influenced by contextual, demographic, and cultural factors (Baidin et al 2021), but it tends to be a good predictor of mortality (Jylhä 2009;Benyamini 2011;Schnittker and Bacak 2014). As such, it has become a commonly used indicator in academic studies in various fields (not only medical but also social and economic) and in official health surveys (Jylhä 2009).…”

Self‐rated health among adolescents from vulnerable areas and their sociodemographic, lifestyle and contextual factors: A multilevel analysis

“…SRH is formed in a person's youth and remains consistent throughout life, so it is considered a stable concept (Cislaghi & Cislaghi, 2019). In addition, SRH reflects the relationship between biopsychosocial and economic factors, as well as between physical and emotional conditions of the body (Baidin et al, 2021;Currie et al, 2012).…”