Role of Social Support in the Relationship Between Financial Strain and Frequency of Exercise Among Older Japanese: A 19-year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have reported that financial strain has deleterious effects on healthy behaviors. Moreover, social support is expected to mitigate these effects, but few studies have investigated the effects of exercise; thus, the investigation can deepen our understanding of the relationship between social support and physical activity=exercise. We examined the relationship between financial strain and frequency of exercise, and the role of social support in this relationship in old age. Methods: Data came from a 19-year longitudinal study conducted between 1987 and 2006 of Japanese adults aged 60 or more with up to seven repeated observations. Frequency of exercise was assessed using a four-point scale. Financial strain was measured using the responses to three questions related to financial condition. This study considered both emotional and instrumental supports. Covariates included demographic and socioeconomic factors, health behaviors, and health condition. Results: The analysis included 3,911 participants. The results of a generalized estimation equation model showed that among females, greater financial strain in the previous wave was associated with reduced frequency of exercise (b = −0.018; 95% confidence interval, −0.032 to −0.004), and that as financial strain increased, those who received more instrumental support engaged in less exercise than those who received less support (b = −0.009; 95% confidence interval, −0.017 to −0.002). These relationships were not observed among males. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that financial strain is negatively correlated with frequency of exercise among older females. In addition, instrumental support is negatively correlated with frequency of exercise among females under financial strain.

Positive Aspects of Caregiving Are Associated With Lower Risk of Frailty and Sleep Disruption in the National Study of Caregiving

“…The third component represents a less clear pattern with the highest loadings represented by financial and, secondarily, physical burden items. This combination of items in a component is consistent with a recent publication reporting an association between financial burden and physical activity among older adults ( Komazawa et al, 2021 ) and may be directly related to the activity participation component in our frailty measure. The study by Komazawa et al (2021) showed physical activity, as it relates to physical function, is affected by financial burden.…”

“…This combination of items in a component is consistent with a recent publication reporting an association between financial burden and physical activity among older adults ( Komazawa et al, 2021 ) and may be directly related to the activity participation component in our frailty measure. The study by Komazawa et al (2021) showed physical activity, as it relates to physical function, is affected by financial burden. Here the link between financial burden and physical burden may be affected by physical function; or those with financial burden who also receive less instrumental and social support may have reduced physical function.…”

Physical activity and functional social support in community-dwelling older adults: a scoping review

“…Malek Rivan et al found no significant association between emotional SOSU and PA in older Malaysians [ 35 ]. Perrino et al found no significant association between emotional SOSU and walking in Hispanic-Americans [ 24 ], while Komazawa et al found no significant association between emotional SOSU and exercise frequency in a longitudinal study in older Japanese adults [ 90 ]. Yamakita et al investigated the role of perceived and given emotional SOSU and participation in exercise groups in 78,002 older adults in Japan.…”

“…Perrino et al observed that higher levels of instrumental SOSU were associated with lower levels of walking in older Hispanic-Americans [ 24 ]. In a longitudinal analysis of older Japanese adults, Komazawa et al reported that instrumental SOSU was negatively correlated with PA in financially stressed women, but not in men [ 90 ]. In contrast, Loprinzi and Joyner found a positive association between financial SOSU and PA levels [ 87 ].…”