Health Status and Social Networks as Predictors of Resilience in Older Adults Residing in Rural and Remote Environments.

Christine Mckibbin,Katelynn Bourassa,Aaron Lee,Bernard A Steinman,Andrea Slosser,Catherine Carrico

doi:10.1155/2016/4305894

Abstract

Purpose. Health status and social networks are associated with resilience among older adults. Each of these factors may be important to the ability of adults to remain in rural and remote communities as they age. We examined the association of health status and social networks and resilience among older adults dwelling in a rural and remote county in the Western United States. Methods. We selected a random sample of 198 registered voters aged 65 years or older from a frontier Wyoming county. Hierarchical linear regression was used to examine the association of health status as well as social networks and resilience. We also examined health status as a moderator of the relationship between social networks and resilience. Results. Family networks (p = 0.024) and mental health status (p < 0.001) significantly predicted resilience. Mental health status moderated the relationship of family (p = 0.004) and friend (p = 0.021) networks with resilience. Smaller family and friend networks were associated with greater resilience when mental health status was low, but not when it was high. Conclusion. Efforts to increase mental health status may improve resilience among older adults in rural environments, particularly for those with smaller family and friends networks.

Highlights

Older rural adults comprise a large and increasing percentage of the population in the United States
Literature shows that older adults living in rural and remote areas possess varying degrees of resilience, as do individuals living in urban and suburban areas [20]
Our results suggest that both family social networks and mental health status are important predictors of resilience among these individuals

Summary

Introduction

Older rural adults comprise a large and increasing percentage of the population in the United States. As of 2014, more than 16% of the population aged 65 years and older were categorized as living in rural settings by the US Census Bureau [1]. The proportion of older adults in rural areas has grown rapidly due in part to aging in place, retirement transitions, and outmigration of younger families [2]. Frontier areas are the most remote and sparsely populated areas among these rural settings. While it is well known that most older adults would prefer to age in their homes and communities [3], older residents in the most remote areas may be far from healthcare and social services, social venues, and other necessities to promote engagement and independent living. Transportation is frequently lacking and traveling to larger towns and cities where necessities including healthcare are located can be difficult [4]

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