Susan M. HeidrichArpaporn PowwattanaUniversity of Wisconsin MadisonMahidol University2018-07-242018-07-242004-10-01Journal of Adult Development. Vol.11, No.4 (2004), 251-259106806672-s2.0-6344223108https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/21822Self-discrepancy was investigated as a self-enhancing mechanism by which older women maintain their mental health and psychological well-being while coping with declines in physical health. In this 6-year longitudinal study, the mediating and moderating effects of self-discrepancy on mental health outcomes in older women with chronic health problems were tested. Participants were 103 community-dwelling older women who completed multiple, self-report measures of physical and mental health and self-discrepancy. There was a decline in physical health over time but an improvement in self-discrepancies. Low self-discrepancy (i.e., little discrepancy between the actual and ideal self) mediated and moderated the effects of physical health decline on mental health and psychological well-being. Thus, self-discrepancy appears to play a significant role in maintaining mental health in the face of declining physical health in older women.Mahidol UniversityPsychologySocial SciencesArticleSCOPUS10.1023/B:JADE.0000044528.54943.5f