Social Engagement of Older AdultsAmazing Aging

GERN 474 – Maria Claver & Casey GoellerAlma Madrid, Lisa Medrano, Kim Pham, Michelle Prado & Lorrie Russell. May 3rd, 2010

Introduction

• Social engagement represents an active engagement with social world and implies that people are choosing to participate.

• Social aspects of aging: – Networks– Social Support– Participation

• Studies of physical health:– Disability – Morbidity– Mortality

Introduction cont …

• Social worlds contributes to physical health.• Networks

– Direct protection from mortality (men benefited from smaller networks than women)

• Support– Familial support predictor of mortality.– Reduced mortality risks.

• Participation/Social Engagement– Volunteering, Church Attendance & Socializing reduced mortality.

Introduction cont …

• Validated measures such as Brief Assessment of Social Engagement (BASE).

• Control:– Age (physical health may decline with age)– Sex (varies between men and women)– Physical Health (establish whether social participation is precursor for

mortality).

Methods

• Nottingham Longitudinal Study (NLSAA). • 8 year survey. • Conducted between May & September 1985. • Follow up interviews at 4 year intervals

Questionnaire

• 14 item health index from 0 (no health problems) – 14 (multiple health problems).

• Brief Assessment of Social Engagement measured levels of social participation.

• 13 item Life Satisfaction Index measure morale.

Participants

• 154 Participants who died 1985 – 1993 • 154 Still alive• Matched age, sex, & health index score. • By 1989 – 34 men & women had died.

Analysis

• Independent t-test.• Independent number was survival (alive or deceased) in 1993.• Social engagement & moral in 1984 & 1989 are dependent

variables.

Results

• T1 – 1985 – Difference found for social engagement .– Lower levels of social engagement [t(307) = 1.29, p<0.199] – No other independent variables were insignificant.

• T2 – 1989 – Difference found for social engagement [t(230) = -3.12, p<0.002]– Morale [t(225) = 2.64, p<0.01] – Health [t(226) = 2.39, p<0.02]

• T3 – 1993– Those who died by T3 had lower levels of social engagement, morale,

poorer health than those who were still alive.

Discussion• Direct effect .• Social engagement may have a direct effect on mortality when

health, age, & sex are controlled for. • Marker for later health problems. • Low levels signals unrecognized health problems.

Conclusion

• Low social engagement does not always determine mortality.• Social engagement may have a direct effect on mortality if:

– Age– Health – Sex Are controlled for.

Recommendations

• Consider what types of diseases/illness.– Some diseases will impede Older Adults from participating.

• Correlation between accessibility of social engagement.

Work Cited

Bennett, K. M. (2002). Low level social engagement as a precursor of mortality among people in later life. Age and Ageing, 31, 165-168.