Abstract
This study examined the extent to which dimensions of social connectedness and perceived social support have distinct associations with the physical and mental health of older adults. This study utilized data from the Utah Fertility, Longevity, and Aging (FLAG) study. Participants included 259 older adults, aged 60 or older (mean age: 67.75 ± 4.8). Connectedness (networks and satisfaction with networks) was measured with the Duke Social Support Index. Social support (affective, confidant, instrumental) was measured with the Duke–UNC Functional Support Scale. Physical and mental health were measured with the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The results showed significant differences in the mean physical and mental health scores between participants with high scores on satisfaction with networks, affective, confidant, and instrumental support, and those with low scores on these dimensions. After controlling for covariates, affective support significantly predicted physical health, while satisfaction with networks, and affective and instrumental support significantly predicted mental health. The findings suggest that social support may be relatively more important to the health and wellbeing of older adults than social connectedness. This underscores the relative importance older adults attach to the quality rather than quantity of social ties.
Highlights
Social relationships are fundamental to human survival and are significantly involved in the attainment and maintenance of good health and wellbeing
The results, showed statistically significant differences in the mean physical and mental health scores between participants who had a high satisfaction with network score and those who had a low satisfaction score
This study investigated the associations of the dimensions of social connectedness and perceived social support with the physical and mental health among older adults in the Utah FLAG study
Summary
Social relationships are fundamental to human survival and are significantly involved in the attainment and maintenance of good health and wellbeing. Social relationships have been variously defined and measured diversely across studies and disciplines. Regardless of the differences, two major components of social relationships have consistently been studied and documented: social networks and social support [1–3]. Studies have demonstrated a clear link between these components and the health of older people. Supportive relationships have been linked to the provision of emotional security [10]. With its absence often experienced as emotional (loneliness) and social isolation, older adults appraise their social relationships on the basis of the degree to which they feel connected and supported [5,11–13]
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