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Does social activity decrease risk for institutionalization and mortality in older people?

Katja Pynnönen¹, Timo Törmäkangas, Riitta-Liisa Heikkinen

¹Gerontology Research Center and Department of Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland. katja.pynnonen@jyu.fi

The Journals of Gerontology. Series B, Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

|August 30, 2012

Summary

Engaging in collective social activities, such as cultural and organizational events, may lower mortality risk for older adults. This social engagement also initially reduced institutionalization risk, highlighting its health benefits in aging populations.

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Area of Science:

Gerontology
Public Health
Sociology

Background:

Social inactivity is a known risk factor for adverse health outcomes in older adults.
The specific impact of different types of social activity on health requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To examine collective social activity (e.g., cultural, organizational) and productive social activity (e.g., helping others) as predictors of mortality and institutionalization in old age.

Main Methods:

1,181 community-dwelling individuals aged 65-84 were interviewed in Finland.
Proportional hazard regression and competing risks analysis were used to assess mortality and institutionalization over approximately 17 years.

Main Results:

Collective social activity was associated with a reduced risk of mortality.
An initial reduction in institutionalization risk was observed with collective social activity, though this effect waned over time.
These findings remained significant after controlling for sociodemographics, health status, functional ability, and physical activity levels.

Conclusions:

Collective social activity shows a potential association with decreased mortality and institutionalization in older populations.
Further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms connecting social activity and health outcomes in aging individuals.