Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026
07:27
Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty
Published on: October 6, 2016
Social network and older people's functionality: Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) study evidences
Tábatta Renata Pereira de Brito1, Daniella Pires Nunes1, Yeda Aparecida de Oliveira Duarte1
1Escola de Enfermagem, Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo (SP), Brasil.
Summary
Active social networks in older adults are linked to better functional performance. Providing social support significantly reduces the risk of functional impairment in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Active social networks are associated with improved functional performance in older adults.
- Understanding the link between social network characteristics and functional decline is crucial for aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between social network characteristics and the onset of functional impairment in the elderly.
- To identify specific social support mechanisms that may mitigate functional decline.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal population-based study using data from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging (SABE) Study (2006 and 2010 cohorts).
- Analysis included network size, member demographics, living arrangements, relationship satisfaction, and types of social support received and provided.
- Logistic regression was employed to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Elderly individuals received varied support: dependent individuals received more material and personal care, while independent individuals received more emotional support and companionship.
- Providing social support was associated with a reduced likelihood of developing dependency (OR = 0.32).
- This protective effect of social support was independent of sociodemographic and health factors.
Conclusions:
- Strengthening social networks in old age is recommended to support functional independence.
- Relying solely on informal family care may not suffice for the increasing care demands of an aging population.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:19The Effect of Aging on Tissues
Several body functions deteriorate with age. The external signs of aging are easily identifiable. For example, the skin becomes dry, less elastic, and thins out, forming wrinkles. The skin of the face begins to appear looser due to a decrease in the levels of elastic and collagen fibers in the connective tissue. Additionally, melanin production in the hair follicle decreases with age, resulting in gray hair. Moreover, the senses of sight and hearing decline, so glasses and hearing aids may...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
01:27Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development outlines a series of stages through which individuals progress across the lifespan. Each stage involves a psychosocial conflict that significantly influences personal growth and well-being. Three key stages — intimacy versus isolation, generativity versus stagnation, and integrity versus despair — highlight the developmental challenges faced in adulthood.
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
01:26Aging
Aging is a complex biological phenomenon influenced by various processes that affect cellular and systemic functions. Several prominent theories attempt to explain its mechanisms, highlighting cellular limitations, oxidative damage, and hormonal changes as central factors in aging.
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
01:30Social Relationships and Well-Being
The significance of social relationships in psychological well-being is a well-established area of inquiry within social psychology. Research consistently demonstrates that the presence of meaningful, supportive relationships enhances emotional health, while the absence or deterioration of such connections can contribute to psychological distress. Relationships serve as a foundation for emotional support, identity, and social belonging, all of which are critical to an individual’s overall...