Abstract
Abstract Objective To investigate the factors related to low social participation in older adults. Method A hierarchical model was drawn using data from 2,251 participants of the Fibra study, aged 65 years or more, without cognitive impairment suggestive of dementia, who were living in seven Brazilian cities. Three blocks of variables were considered: macrostructural, socioeconomic and health conditions. Results Factors related to low social participation were low perceived social support (OR:2.18;CI:0.73-1.53; <0.001), vision impairment (OR:2.04; CI:1.16-3.61;0.014), age over 80 years (OR:2.03;CI:1.22-3.38;0.006), depressive symptoms (OR:1.86;CI:1.29-2.68; <0.001), low cognitive status (OR:1.85;CI:1.20-2.85;0.005) and slowness (OR:1.83;CI:1.26-2.65;0.001). Older adults with those conditions have higher odds to be less socially engaged than their counterparts. Conclusion Personal conditions, such as socioeconomic and health status were predictors of low social participation in older adults. Initiatives aiming at active aging promotion should focus primarily on vulnerable elderly, especially those with health and/or social disadvantages.
Highlights
Social participation has been defined as person’s involvement in activities that provide opportunities for interactions with others in the community or society[1]
Comparative analyses between macrostrutural variables and low social participation showed that number of visits to dental services (
Seniors who scored for low social participation were more often among those that were older (
Summary
Social participation has been defined as person’s involvement in activities that provide opportunities for interactions with others in the community or society[1]. That concept integrates the Active Ageing Policy[2], along with health and security In this policy, participation is a cornerstone to encourage initiatives for productive aging and social engagement in society, emphasizing the importance of potential contributions of older adults in the community. On the other hand, increases the risk of mortality, to smoking, sedentary lifestyle, alcoholism and other well-known cardiovascular risk factors[10]. It is an important indicator of earlier functional decline and other negatives outcomes. Numerous data have shown the effects of decreased social participation on social isolation[5,11] and loneliness in old age[12]
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