The Social Support–Health Link Unraveled: Pathways Linking Social Support to Functional Capacity in Later Life

Bianca Suanet*, Marja J. Aartsen, Emiel O. Hoogendijk, Martijn Huisman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Objective: Despite evidence that social support is strongly related to health, very little is known about the mechanisms underlying this association. This study investigates whether physical activity, depressive symptoms, and chronic diseases mediate the associations between social support and functional capacity. Method: Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam on 954 participants, aged 75 and older, covering 9 years, are analyzed with latent growth mediation models. Results: Only the indirect path from the initial level of emotional support to the initial level of functional capacity through the initial level of depressive symptoms was significant. All mediators however were significantly associated with the level of and changes in functional capacity. Models with reversed pathways were estimated, but model fit was worse. Discussion: Because only initial levels of social support relate to functional capacity, and changes in social support do not, older adults likely receive the support they need.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)616-626
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
Volume32
Issue number7-8
Early online date15 Apr 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2020

Bibliographical note

Working title: The social support-health link unraveled? Evidence on pathways linking social support to functional capacity in later life.

Keywords

  • chronic conditions
  • mental health
  • physical activity
  • physical function
  • social support

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