| Summary: | Purpose. Self-rated health is a powerful predictor of health-related outcomes such as morbidity and mortality. Aim of the current study was to examine the role of comorbidity, well-being, functional health and physical limitations as possible predictors of self-rated health in diabetes and chronic heart failure.Methods. Three large samples with persons suffering from diabetes (n=974), chronic heart failure (n=955) or both diseases combined (n=934) were analyzed longitudinally over the course of 4 months. To test the mediating effect of comorbidity, well-being, functional health and physical limitations in the association of former and future self-rated health multiple mediator models were applied. Results. Across all groups emotional well-being was a consistent and powerful determinant of self-rated health. The effects of functional health and physical limitations on self-rated health were also significant but varied between diagnostic groups. The number of comorbid diseases did not predict self-rated health. Conclusions. Emotional well-being and the measures of physical health appraisal were strong predictors of self-rated health. Thus, self-rated health may be improved by influencing well-being and physical health appraisal via targeted interventions.
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