Abstract
Previous studies have shown that more frequent social participation was associated with a reduced risk of mortality. However, limited studies have explored the changes in the frequency of social participation in older adults. We investigated the impact of the changes in the frequency of social participation on all-cause mortality in Japanese older adults aged 60 years and older. The current study, conducted as a secondary analysis, was a retrospective cohort study using open available data. The participants were 2240 older adults (45.4% male and 54.6% female) sampled nationwide from Japan who responded to the interview survey. Changes in the frequency of social participation were categorized into four groups (none, initiated, decreased, and continued pattern) based on the responses in the baseline and last surveys. The Cox proportional-hazards model showed a decreased risk of all-cause mortality in decreased and continued patterns of social participation. Stratified analysis by sex showed a decreased risk of mortality in the continued pattern only among males. The results of the current study suggest that the initiation of social participation at an earlier phase of life transition, such as retirement, may be beneficial for individuals.
Highlights
Social capital is an important public health approach for the maintenance and health promotion of older adults considering the aging society worldwide
Previous studies have reported that social participation in older adults, at the individual level in community organizations, was a social capital that led to a reduction in mortality [1,2,3]
The mortality rates were lower for respondents who participated more frequently in social activities in both surveys
Summary
Social capital is an important public health approach for the maintenance and health promotion of older adults considering the aging society worldwide. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a longitudinal study in Norway, reported that the frequency of social participation of less than 1, 1 to less than 2, and 2 or more times per week reduced mortality risk by 18%, 31%, and 39%, respectively [14]. Participation in both receptive and creative activities at least twice a week was associated with a 29% reduction in cancer-related mortality [15]. Fancourt et al studied the association of all-cause mortality among adults aged 50 years and older and reported that those who participated in receptive arts activities at least once every few months or
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