Timing of impairment and health-promoting lifestyles in women with disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to develop a substantive theory to explain how the timing of impairment in women's lives influenced health-promoting lifestyles among 45 women age 43 to 79 years with impairments of varying onset across the life course. From this grounded theory exploration, we suggest that women created health-related lifestyles that were comprised of changing abilities, roles, and rituals in support of perceived self. The ultimate goal of a healthy lifestyle was healthy aging, which was self-determination in the support of positive relationships.