Multimorbidity, Social Networks and Health-Related Wellbeing at the End of the Life Course

Abstract

Despite multimorbidity trends pointing to an increase in the number of older people with chronic diseases and functioning limitations in Western countries, the proportion of older adults who report good self-rated health has also increased. One of the explanatory factors for the so-called 'disability paradox' is that meaningful and satisfactory social relations buffer the negative impact of health decline. The aim of this chapter is to explore the role of social networks (SN) in the interplay between multimorbidity and the self-rated health status among the 'oldest old' population (80+) in Spain. Data were drawn from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (Wave 6; N=1,287). Bivariate analyses (ANOVA) were used to describe the associations between the social networks and the physical and mental conditions of older people. Logistic and linear regression models were employed to explore the mediating effect of social networks in this evaluation. Results showed that, despite the high level of multimorbidity, the assessment that the oldest old population made of their healthrelated wellbeing was mediated by some facets of their social relations. Several aspects of their social networks, such as proximity and satisfaction, mediated the relationship between morbidity and health-related wellbeing.

Active ageing profiles among older adults in Spain: A Multivariate analysis based on SHARE study

“…The latter could be the case of the profile of limiting conditions for AA (profile III), which is observed among not very old women who say that they have more children and grandchildren both inside and outside the home, and which would also correspond to a descending familialism typology and activity based on intergenerational family solidarity provided by older women [ 118 ]. In any case, profiles I, II and III show higher reported loneliness, compared to lower scores for profiles IV and V, which would be related not so much to the size of the family network but rather to other factors such as increasing age and changes and lost in marital status, income, self-rate health, cognitive functioning and depression [ 119 , 120 ], aspects that are also related to limiting conditions for AA and maintaining a good quality of life [ 121 ].…”