SOCIAL SUPPORT PREDICTS ILLNESS BEHAVIOR TRAJECTORIES IN THE SWEDISH ADOPTION/TWIN STUDY OF AGING

Abstract

Social circumstances (e.g., stress, loneliness, support) predict illness behaviors, i.e., responses to symptoms of illness, but little is known about social influences on trajectories of illness behavior in late-life. We examined the predictive value of social support on illness behavior trajectories in SATSA. Participants were 1,314 twins (Mean age at baseline=60.26; SD=13.20; 58% female). Illness behavior was a single factor score calculated from four indicators across four surveys between 1987–2003 (i.e., somatic complaints, over-the-counter medication use, activity limitations due to pain, and perceived illness complications). Higher scores indicated greater likelihood of treatment seeking. Baseline social support measures indexed perceived availability of support from family and friends. Covariates were baseline comorbidity, gender, SES, marital status, and age (centered at 70 years). Illness behavior increased annually (Β=.16, SE=.02, p< .0001). People with more comorbidity (B=2.50, SE=.14, p< .0001) and females (B=2.63, SE=.46, p< .0001) reported higher illness behavior levels, whereas friend support (B= -.17, SE=.04, p< .0001) and age (B= -.20, SE=.02, p< .0001) negatively predicted illness behaviors. Further, age (B=.004, SE=.001, p< .0001) and comorbidity (B=.02, SE=.01, p=.02) predicted faster increases in illness behavior. While multi-morbidity predicts increases in illness behavior level and change, friend support, but not family support, predicts reduced levels. Hence, friend support might be a useful target for reducing overutilization of healthcare in older adults.