Association of Social Frailty with Physical Health, Cognitive Function, Psychological Health, and Life Satisfaction in Community-Dwelling Older Koreans

Abstract

Social frailty affects various aspects of health in community-dwelling older adults. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of social frailty and the significance of its association with South Korean older adults’ health status and life satisfaction. This study involved a secondary data analysis of the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans. From the 10,299 respondents of the survey, 10,081 were selected with no exclusion criteria. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors related to life satisfaction. Compared with the robust and social prefrailty groups, the social frailty group had higher nutritional risk (χ² = 312.161, p = 0.000), depressive symptoms (χ² = 977.587, p = 0.000), cognitive dysfunction (χ² = 25.051, p = 0.000), and lower life satisfaction (F = 1050.272, p = 0.000). The results of multiple linear regression, adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, indicated that social frailty had the strongest negative association with life satisfaction (β = −0.267, p = 0.000). However, cognitive function was significantly positively associated with life satisfaction (β = 0.062, p = 0.000). Social frailty was significantly correlated with physical, psychological, and mental health as well as life satisfaction in community-dwelling older South Koreans. Therefore, accounting for the social aspect of functioning is an essential part of a multidimensional approach to improving health and life satisfaction in communities.

Global functionality and associated factors in the older adults followed by Home Care in Primary Health Care

“…These data highlight the specific limitations of older people who followed up by HC. Also, a South Korean study conducted with older people from the community informs that cognitive decline is a factor that may influence the frailty in older population ( 34 ) .…”

Relationship between vulnerability and life satisfaction in older population in Russia

“…At that, the lack or complete absence of social bonds can lead to vulnerability. (Ko and Jung 2021) investigated the impact of social vulnerability on the level of life satisfaction among older people in South Korea. To assess life satisfaction, the authors of the study used variables such as participation in social life, including volunteering and visiting community centers and clubs, meeting with friends, and living alone and interacting with other people.…”

Daily Time Use by Activity of Community-Dwelling Older Koreans: Focus on Health Management

“…Overall scores are classified as good (0-2 points), moderate risk (3-5 points), and high risk (6 points or more). The reliability and validity of this tool are secured in the older adults, so it was used in the National survey of older Koreans [21] and recently study [9].…”

“…Total scores range from 0 to 15, and scores of 0-4, 5-9, and 10-15 indicate normal state, moderate depression, and depression, respectively. The reliability and validity of this tool are secured in the older adults, so it was used in the National survey of older Koreans [21], and its reliability was Cronbach's alpha was 0.88 at time of development [22], 0.89 in recent study [9], and 0.80 in the present study.…”

“…World Health Organization [8] defines health aging as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age. Therefore, it is emphasized to maintain and improve the functional health of the older adults [8], and studies related to frailty, a complex concept of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial, are being conducted [9]. Therefore, in terms of social health, it is necessary to examine the use of time by the older adults, including frailty.…”