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The relationship of psychosocial factors to total mortality among older Japanese-American men: the Honolulu Heart

C D Ceria1, K H Masaki, B L Rodriguez

  • 1University of Hawaii, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|July 17, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Strong social connections significantly reduce mortality risk in older men. Maintaining robust social networks is crucial for longevity and well-being in elderly populations.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Social Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Psychosocial factors are increasingly recognized for their impact on health outcomes.
  • Social isolation and loneliness are prevalent concerns in aging populations.
  • Understanding the link between social networks and mortality is vital for preventative health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the predictive value of psychosocial factors, specifically social networks, as risk factors for all-cause mortality.
  • To quantify the association between social network size and mortality risk in older men.

Main Methods:

  • A community-based longitudinal cohort study, the Honolulu Heart Program, followed 3,497 men aged 71-93 for an average of 6 years.
  • Psychosocial data were collected using the Lubben Social Networks Scale (LSNS), assessing family and friend relationships and social support.
  • LSNS scores were divided into quartiles, with the lowest quartile representing the least social support and the highest quartile representing the most.

Main Results:

  • A significant dose-response relationship was observed between LSNS score and total mortality.
  • Mortality rates decreased progressively from the lowest to the highest social support quartiles (33.8% vs. 15.7%).
  • Low social network scores remained significantly associated with higher mortality even after controlling for age and smoking status (P = .0001).

Conclusions:

  • Social networks are significantly and independently associated with 6-year all-cause mortality in older Japanese-American men.
  • Interventions aimed at enhancing social networks in old age may be effective in reducing premature mortality.
  • Findings highlight the importance of social integration for healthy aging and longevity.
Abstract

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