Characteristics of psychophysical health, generativity andintegrity level in elderly people considering previous and current financial status

Abstract

Objectives.The aim of the research presented in this paper is to determine characteristics of psychophysical health, the 
degree of generativity and integrity with respect to the past and current financial condition of the old.
Material and methods. The research sample consisted of elderly persons from the vicinity of Novi Pazar (N=101), whose 
average age was 71.7 years old. The instruments used for data collection were as follows: The questionnaire for examining 
sociodemographic characteristics (designed for research purposes), The RAND-36 Health Survey, Loyola Adapted 
Generativity Scale and Integrity scale. The data analysis used the descriptive statistical methods, t-test and one-way analysis of 
variance.
Results. The results show that there are statistically significant differences in only one dimension of mental health -
emotional well-being, as well as in the degree of generativity and integrity concerning the earlier family material situation in 
elderly persons. Concerning the current financial status, statistically significant differences were observed in even four 
dimensions of psychophysical health: emotional well-being, social functioning, physical functioning and general health.
Significant differences have also been shown in the dimension of integrity between the groups with the poor and the good 
economic background.
Conclusions. Elderly in Novi Pazar, mostly assess their earlier and current material status as medium or good. They also 
link better health state to a better financial situation and assess mental health as better than physical. The respondents in this 
study report a relatively high degree of generativity, which speaks of an active relationship towards the environment and 
achieving integrity.