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Validation of a Psychosocial Intervention on Body Image in Older People: An Experimental Design
Published on: May 31, 2021
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Social support among older adults understood through structural equation modeling.
Débora Aparecida Silva de Jesus1, Nayara Gomes Nunes Oliveira1, Neilzo Nunes Oliveira1
1Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro. Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Revista Brasileira De Enfermagem
|October 26, 2022
Summary
Older adults with smaller social networks, living alone, experiencing depression, or less engaged in activities reported lower social support. These factors, alongside age, varied between men and women, impacting social support differently.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Social support is crucial for older adults' well-being.
- Understanding factors influencing social support is vital for targeted interventions.
- Sex-based differences in social support require specific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze factors directly and indirectly associated with lower social support in older adults.
- To examine these associations separately for men and women.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 941 older adults from Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Descriptive and trajectory analyses were performed.
- Statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Main Results:
- Smaller social network, single-person housing, more depressive symptoms, and lower participation in advanced activities were associated with lower social support in both sexes.
- In women, younger age was directly associated with lower social support.
- In men, older age was indirectly associated with lower social support, mediated by reduced participation in advanced activities.
Conclusions:
- Social network, housing, depressive symptoms, and activity participation are key factors affecting social support in older adults, with sex-specific nuances.
- Effective interventions to improve care for older adults depend on understanding their social support context.
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