Relationship between social interaction and health of the floating elderly population in China: an analysis based on interaction type, mode and frequency

BACKGROUND

Although the health of the floating elderly population is an important part of active and healthy ageing, it is neglected in current Chinese society. Based on the general consensus that social interaction can affect the health of the floating population, this study explored whether the interaction type, mode and frequency influenced the health of the floating elderly population in China and investigated the variability of these influential effects.

METHODS

This study used the China Migrant Population Dynamic Survey Data 2017 and selected 5239 floating elderly individuals over 60 years old. Self-rated health was used to assess the comprehensive health status of respondents. Social interaction was measured by the interaction type, mode and frequency. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyse the health and social interaction status. An ordinal probit model was used to estimate the influential effects and differences on health caused by social interaction. The 2SLS model was used to examine the mutual causality relationship between interaction frequency and health, and a robustness test was conducted.

RESULTS

A total of 44.6% interacted with local residents, 14.2% participated in interaction activities based on geographical relations, and only 4.3% and 7% participated in interactions based on business and interest, respectively. Interacting with natives improved individuals' self-rated health by 18.5%; specifically, geographical interaction increased self-rated health by 40.9%, occupational interaction increased it by 25.2%, interest-based interaction increased it by 41.2%, and interaction frequency improved the self-rated health (β = 0.128). In addition, sex, education level, personal income, and floating into the eastern region had a positive effect on individuals' health. However, age, spouse and hukou exerted a negative effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that interacting with local residents could improve the health of floating elderly population, and revealed that interest-based interaction and their frequency had a positive impact on health. The government should speed up the construction of the voluntary service system and encourage the floating elderly population to realize their personal value in social interaction. In addition, the reform of the hukou system should be further promoted, so as to remove institutional barriers to the social interaction.

Friendships and Emotional Well-Being in the Context of Race and Age

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Research suggests that friendships are associated with better emotional outcomes. Still, little is known about the implications of daily friend encounters on emotional well-being in the context of race and age. Guided by the integrative conceptual framework for friendship research, this study considers racism and cultural beliefs associated with racial groups and different social and emotional goals associated with age and investigates whether the frequency of friend encounters and the link between friend encounters and emotional well-being in everyday life would vary by race and age.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Black (n = 80; Mage = 53.62) and White American adults (n = 89, Mage = 52.01) from the Stress and Well-being in Everyday Life study provided background and social network information, followed by ecological momentary assessment surveys in which they reported their social encounters and mood every 3 hours for 4 consecutive days.

RESULTS

Multilevel linear models revealed no significant differences by race or age in the frequency of friend encounters. At times when individuals were with friends, their positive mood was elevated compared to when they were not (within-person association). Yet, this association was observed only among White adults and among Black individuals who were aged 41 or younger.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This work contributes to the conceptual framework for friendship research by considering how individuals' race and age are linked to friendship patterns. Findings highlight the importance of everyday contact with friends for enhancing momentary emotional well-being, particularly among White individuals and younger Black adults.

Assessing the effect of health status on multidimensional poverty among older adults: the Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey

Background

This study aimed to explore the association between health status (physical, mental, and self-rated health) and multidimensional poverty (subjective and objective poverty) in older adults.

Method

A panel binary logit regression approach was applied to four waves of CLHLS data (2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018). In total,1,445 individuals were included after data cleaning.

Results

The mean values and proportion of physical, mental, and self-rated health were 5.73 (87.42%), 0.93 (93.06%), and 3.46 (86.7%), respectively, and mean values and proportion of subjective and objective poverty were 0.19 (18.51%) and 0.21(21.4%). In addition, physical, mental, and self-rated health were all found to be associated with subjective poverty among older adults (r = -0.181, r = -0.630, r = -0.321, p < 0.05), that is, the better the physical, mental, and self-rated health, the lower the probability of subjective poverty. A comparable connection between self-rated health and objective poverty also exists (r = -0.157, p < 0.05). Furthermore, medical expenditure played a mediation role in the association between the health status and poverty of older adults.

Conclusion

In order to effectively alleviate the poverty of older adults, strategies should be taken to improve the health level of older adults, especially the physical and mental health of high-aged older adults, and the self-rated health of middle-aged older adults. Furthermore, social security and pensions should be further developed to adequately reimburse medical expenditures.

Relocation Later in Life and Contact Frequency With Friends: Do Contact Modes Matter?

We examined changes in the frequencies of in-person, telephone, and written or email contact with friends in older adults who move short or longer distances. 3820 adults aged 50 years or older were included from a nationally representative sample from the Health and Retirement Study. Using ordinal logistic regression, we found differential effects of geographical distances on the in-person, telephone, and write or email contact with friends. Specifically, in-person contact frequency was most sensitive to distance. Telephone contact frequency was only impacted by long-distance moves; however, email contact frequency was not influenced by distance. Findings suggest that the impact of relocation on contact frequency exists even though communication technology gives older adults flexibility in maintaining frequent contact with their friends. We discuss our findings through the lens of socioemotional selective theory and social convoy model. Future studies could examine factors linked to changes in the amount and modes of contact.

Does personality shape the personal social networks of older Europeans?

The aim of the study was to clarify whether personality traits predict the structure, function and quality of egocentric confidant networks in later life. Data were drawn from Waves 7 and 8 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (N = 39,172). We regressed network size, contact frequency and network satisfaction on the Big-5 personality traits, using a single path analysis structure, controlling for country, sociodemographic background and health status. The findings showed that the personality traits were related to the social network outcomes, but their effect was modest and less predictive than the contextual factors. The country predictors explained the most variance, generally, with some surprising results. For example, confidant networks were the largest in Scandinavia and Central Europe, and smallest in the Mediterranean region and Eastern Europe. Among the personality traits, extraversion was the most consistent positive predictor, but conscientiousness was also predictive. Neuroticism was a negative predictor, but not of network size. The sociodemographic variables, particularly partner status, explained more variance than the personality traits did. In sum, the SHARE database offers a comprehensive and differentiated view of the complex interpersonal milieus in which older Europeans are embedded.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10433-021-00678-8.

Friendships in Old Age: Daily Encounters and Emotional Well-Being

OBJECTIVES

Having friends in old age is linked to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Yet, we know little about older adults' emotional experiences when they encounter friends throughout the day. This study examined whether older adults reported (a) more pleasantness, (b) fewer conversations about stressful experiences, and (c) better mood when they had contact with friends compared to when they had contact with other social partners or were alone throughout the day. We also examined whether these experiences varied by the friendship closeness.

METHOD

Adults aged 65+ (n = 313) from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study provided background information and listed and described their close social partners. Participants then completed ecological momentary assessment (EMA) surveys every 3 hr for 5 to 6 days where they reported their encounters with social partners, rated the pleasantness and indicated whether they discussed stressful issues during these encounters, and rated positive and negative mood.

RESULTS

Multilevel models revealed that encounters with friends were more pleasant and were associated with fewer discussions about stressful experiences compared to encounters with romantic partners or family members throughout the day. Encounters with friends were also associated with better mood, though this link only held for encounters with friends who were not considered close.

DISCUSSION

Findings are discussed in terms of functionalist theory, socioemotional selectivity theory, relationship ambivalence, and the benefits of less close ties. This work facilitates the understanding of how daily contact with friends can promote older adults' emotional well-being.

Older Adult's Marital Status, Conversation Frequency, and Well-being in Everyday Life

OBJECTIVES

Marital status contributes to differences in social experiences and well-being in late life. Yet, we know little about the role of conversation in these processes. Drawing on a functionalist perspective and hierarchical compensatory model, this study aimed to understand (a) whether older adults' marital status is associated with conversation frequency throughout the day, (b) whether contacts with non-spousal ties elicit more conversations among unmarried older adults, and (c) whether conversations exert a stronger effect on mood for unmarried older adults than married older adults.

METHODS

Adults aged 65+ (N = 272) provided information about their background characteristics and social partners. Across 5-6 days, they completed ecological momentary assessments (EMA) reporting their social encounters and mood every 3 hours. Concurrently, electronically activated recorders (EAR) captured 30-seconds of sound every 7 minutes. We compared older adults who were: married, widowed, and divorced.

RESULTS

Multilevel models revealed that married older adults engaged in more conversations than divorced older adults throughout the day. Contact with friends elicited more conversations for divorced older adults than married older adults. Furthermore, conversations enhanced mood throughout the day, but this effect was more salient for widowed than married older adults.

DISCUSSION

Findings highlight the role of marital status in older adults' daily conversational experiences and compensatory processes that may occur. Widowed and divorced older adults differed from married older adults in distinct ways. Divorced older adults may compensate for lack of spouse with friends, whereas widowed older adults may benefit emotionally from engaging in conversations.

Social capital and cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN): A retrospective longitudinal cohort study using the Health and Retirement Study data, 2006-2016

Prescription drug spending and other financial factors (e.g., out-of-pocket costs) partially explain variation in cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN). Indicators of social capital such as neighborhood factors and social support may influence the health and well-being of older adults as they may rely on community resources and support from family and peers to manage conditions. Previous research on the relationship of social capital and CRN has limited evidence and contradictory findings. Hence, our objective is to assess the relationship of social capital indicators (neighborhood social cohesion, neighborhood physical disorder, positive social support, and negative social support) and CRN using a longitudinal design, 2006 to 2016, in a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States (US). The Health and Retirement Study is a prospective panel study of US adults aged ≥ 50 years evaluated every two years. Data was pooled to create three waves and fitted using Generalized Estimating Equation modelling adjusting for both baseline and timevarying covariates (age, sex, education, race, total household income, and perceived health status). The three waves consisted of 11,791, 12,336, and 9,491 participants. Higher levels of neighborhood social cohesion and positive social support were related with lower CRN (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88-0.95 and OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.70-0.84, p<0.01). In contrast, higher levels of neighborhood physical disorder and negative social support were related to higher CRN (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.03-1.11 and OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.32-1.62, p<0.01). Interventions targeting social capital are needed, reinforcing positive social support and neighborhood social cohesion and diminishing neighborhood physical disorder and negative social support for older adults.

Chronic Pain and Friendship among Middle-Aged and Older U.S. Adults

OBJECTIVES

This study examines how chronic pain affects friendship in later life. We test whether onset of pain leads to social network activation, as suggested by research on other health conditions (Latham- Mintus, Forth.), or whether pain-an unverifiable and often stigmatizing condition-functions as a "threat to the social self" (Karos et al., 2018).

METHODS

Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N=4,598; 2006/2008 as Time 1 and 2010/2012 as Time 2), we conducted OLS regressions with the lagged dependent variable approach to assess how new-onset chronic pain predicted (a) respondents' number of close friends and (b) their frequency of in-person meetings with friends, controlling for sociodemographic variables and health conditions.

RESULTS

New-onset severe pain predicted a decrease in number of friends. New-onset moderate pain, in contrast, predicted more friends and more frequent in-person meetings. (Findings were significant or marginally significant depending on model specifications.) Mild pain showed no significant association with either outcome. Pain had a greater effect on men's friendship outcomes than women's.

DISCUSSION

The effects of chronic pain on later-life friendships appear to depend on pain severity, and to differ between men and women. Onset of severe pain serves as a "threat to the social self," while onset of moderate pain contributes to social network activation; both associations are significantly more pronounced among men. These findings highlight the complex associations between health and social outcomes.

The Reciprocal Relationship between Instrumental Support from Children and Self-Rated Health among Older Adults over Time in Rural China

Objective: To investigate the dynamic interplay between instrumental support from children and self-rated health (SRH) among older adults over time in rural China. Methods: Data came from a regional representative, longitudinal study The Well-Being of Older People in Anhui Province collected in 2001, 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2012. At baseline, 1636 respondents reported having at least one child. Bivariate latent change score modeling was conducted, and sequential model comparison was used to assess the directionality of the reciprocal association. Results: Older adults who received higher levels of help with household chores from children tended to experience improvement in subsequent SRH, irrespective of gender. There is no evidence to support the influence of SRH on subsequent changes in instrumental support. Discussion: This study sheds light on the sequence of changes between support and health processes using population-based data within a specific sociocultural context.

Social capital and health status: longitudinal race and ethnicity differences in older adults from 2006 to 2014

OBJECTIVES

We examined the longitudinal associations of social capital on self-rated health and differences by race/ethnicity in older adults.

METHODS

We used Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of US adults aged ≥ 50 years evaluated every 2 years (2006-2014) (N = 18,859). We investigated the relationship between social capital indicators (neighborhood social cohesion/physical disorder, positive/negative social support) with self-rated health accounting for age, gender, education and stratified by race/ethnicity. We used structural equation multilevel modeling estimating the associations: within-wave and between-persons.

RESULTS

We observed between-persons-level associations among social capital indicators and self-rated health. Individuals with overall levels of positive social support and neighborhood social cohesion tended to have overall better self-rated health [correlations 0.21 (p < 0.01) and 0.29 (p < 0.01), respectively]. For Hispanics, the correlations with self-rated health were lower for neighborhood social cohesion (0.19) and negative social support (- 0.09), compared to Whites (0.29 and - 0.20). African-Americans showed lower correlations of positive social support (0.14) compared to Whites (0.21) and Hispanics (0.28).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions targeting social capital are in need, specifically those reinforcing positive social support and neighborhood social cohesion and diminishing neighborhood physical disorder and negative social support of older adults.

Effects of executive ability on bias and ingroup perceptions in aging

Prior work on aging and prejudice has identified that declining executive ability underlies older adults' (OA') increased anti-outgroup bias. The current work, however, suggests that there may also be a motivational reason. Here, we explored the possibility that for OA with relatively lower executive ability, anti-outgroup bias may serve an ironic purpose of maximizing a fundamental social goal: maintaining ingroup positivity. OA are more motivated than young adults (YA) to maximize positivity in everyday life. This process, however, can be cognitively effortful. We tested the novel predictions that (a) OA' executive ability positively predicts their evaluations of ingroup members and (b) OA might preserve positive ingroup perceptions through anti-outgroup bias if they have lower executive ability. The present work tested these predictions using a timely example of an outgroup: Muslims. Study 1 verified that non-Muslim YA and OA identified with non-Muslims (vs. Muslims) as an ingroup. Study 2 then had 3 key findings. First, we replicated work showing a negative relationship between OA' executive ability and their anti-outgroup bias by showing a negative relationship with their anti-Muslim bias. Second, OA' higher executive ability related to their having more positive perceptions of ingroup non-Muslims. Finally, OA with lower executive ability had higher ingroup positivity by having higher anti-Muslim bias. These findings suggest that when OA lack the executive ability to directly maintain a motivational goal of being positive about themselves and their ingroups, they maintain positivity at the expense of others. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Risk of Social Isolation among Older Patients: What Factors Affect the Availability of Family, Friends, and Neighbors upon Hospitalization?

OBJECTIVES

To examine the prevalence of social isolation among older patients admitted to a hospital, and the effects of sociodemographic and health-related factors on the availability of their family, friends, and neighbor networks.

METHODS

Analyses are based on interviews with a sample of 2,449 older patients admitted to an urban academic medical center in the United States. A nine-item version of Lubben's Social Network Scale was developed and used to assess the availability of different social networks.

RESULTS

About 47% of the sample was at risk of social isolation. The oldest old and non-White older adults showed greater risk. The availability of family networks was associated with age, sex, marital status, and prior hospitalization; friend networks with age, race, education, prior hospitalization, and functional limitations; neighbor networks with race, education, marital status, and functional limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of social isolation and the availability of social support for hospitalized older adults varies by both patient and network characteristics. Health professionals should attend to this risk and the factors associated with such risk.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

By assessing the availability of various types and frequency of support among older patients, health professionals can better identify those who may need additional support after discharge. Such information should be used in discharge planning to help prevent unnecessary complications and potential readmission.

Who Says I Do: The Changing Context of Marriage and Health and Quality of Life for LGBT Older Adults

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Until recently, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults were excluded from full participation in civil marriage. The purpose of this study is to examine how legal marriage and relationship status are associated with health-promoting and at-risk factors, health, and quality of life of LGBT adults aged 50 and older.

DESIGN AND METHODS

We utilized weighted survey data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (NHAS) participants who resided in states with legalized same-sex marriage in 2014 (N = 1,821). Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine differences by relationship status (legally married, unmarried partnered, single) in economic and social resources; LGBT contextual and identity factors; health; and quality of life.

RESULTS

We found 24% were legally married, and 26% unmarried partnered; one-half were single. Those legally married reported better quality of life and more economic and social resources than unmarried partnered; physical health indicators were similar between legally married and unmarried partnered. Those single reported poorer health and fewer resources than legally married and unmarried partnered. Among women, being legally married was associated with more LGBT microaggressions.

IMPLICATIONS

LGBT older adults, and practitioners serving them, should become educated about how legal same-sex marriage interfaces with the context of LGBT older adults' lives, and policies and protections related to age and sexual and gender identity. Longitudinal research is needed to understand factors contributing to decisions to marry, including short- and long-term economic, social, and health outcomes associated with legal marriage among LGBT older adults.

Seeing Oneself in the Face of the Other: The Value and Challenge of Human Connectedness for Older Adults

Connection with others is an essential part of our being as humans. Daily interactions provide chances to laugh, argue, empathize, and love. A lack of human connectedness can lead to loneliness, isolation, and deterioration of physical health. Older adults may encounter challenges in maintaining the connections they used to have or in forming new connections. Moreover, human connectedness is sometimes taken for granted and can slip away gradually, unnoticed at first; thus, older adults may find themselves disconnected and experiencing feelings of loneliness without being aware of the steps that brought them to that state. Nurses and other health professionals must be aware of this potential for disconnectedness so that they can offer support for making and sustaining connections and intentionally connect with a client as a whole person. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(7), 13-17.].