Social capital is associated with improved subjective well-being of older adults with chronic non-communicable disease in six low- and middle-income countries

Aaron K Christian,Michael Adu Okyere,Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade,Kafui Adjaye-Gbewonyo

doi:10.1186/s12992-019-0538-y

Abstract

BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly contributing to the morbidity and mortality burden of low and-middle income countries (LMIC). Social capital, particularly participation has been considered as a possible protective factor in the prevention and management of chronic conditions. It is also largely shown to have a negative effect on the well-being of patients. The current discourse on the well-being of individuals with NCDs is however focused more on a comparison with those with no NCDs without considering the difference between individuals with one chronic condition versus those with multiple chronic conditions (MCC).Method and objectiveWe employed a multinomial logit model to examine the effect of social capital, particularly social participation, on the subjective well-being (SWB) of older adults with single chronic condition and MCC in six LMIC.FindingsSocial capital was associated with increased subjective well-being of adults in all the six countries. The positive association between social capital and subjective well-being was higher for those with a single chronic condition than those with multiple chronic conditions in India and South Africa. Conversely, an increase in the likelihood of having higher subjective well-being as social capital increased was greater for those with multiple chronic conditions compared to those with a single chronic condition in Ghana.DiscussionThe findings suggest that improving the social capital of older adults with chronic diseases could potentially improve their subjective well-being. This study, therefore, provides valuable insights into potential social determinants of subjective well-being of older adults with chronic diseases in six different countries undergoing transition. Additional research is needed to determine if these factors do in fact have causal effects on SWB in these populations.

Highlights

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to have a heavy toll on the morbidity and mortality rates of lowand middle income countries (LMICs) [1, 2]
An increase in the likelihood of having higher subjective well-being as social capital increased was greater for those with multiple chronic conditions compared to those with a single chronic condition in Ghana
The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of social capital, social participation, on the subjective well-being of older adults with single NCD and multiple chronic conditions (MCC) in six LMICs that exhibit some variation in their social interaction

Summary

Introduction

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to have a heavy toll on the morbidity and mortality rates of lowand middle income countries (LMICs) [1, 2]. The growing recognition of wellbeing in the health policy scholarship has fueled research to examine the relationship between subjective wellbeing or quality of life and health outcomes such as NCDs [8]. Findings from these studies have been inconsistent. There is a need for more studies on this issue, as well as examining possible moderating factors of the association between well-being and NCDs, such as social capital. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly contributing to the morbidity and mortality burden of low and-middle income countries (LMIC). The current discourse on the well-being of individuals with NCDs is focused more on a comparison with those with no NCDs without considering the difference between individuals with one chronic condition versus those with multiple chronic conditions (MCC)

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