Social participation and 5-year all-cause mortality in older Chilean people

Abstract

We aimed to examine the degree to which social participation is associated with mortality risk in older adults in Chile. We used the Chilean National Survey on Elderly Dependency, which is linked to vital statistics, in order to obtain death records. Four proportional risk regression models were estimated. Even with controlled sociodemographic, economic, family, and health variables, older adults who participate in social activities had a 22% lower risk of death than those who do not participate. We concluded that social participation is a strong and significant protective factor for mortality in Chilean older adults. Social participation should thus be promoted from a life course perspective considering its effect on mortality in older adults who maintained an active social life.

A cohort study of self-perception of ageing and all-cause mortality among older adults in China: a multiple mediators analysis

“…These findings partly support the stereotype embodiment theory, which hypothesizes that SPA utilizes multiple pathways to influence health and longevity [ 14 ]. Our findings also support social participation as a protective factor for mortality [ 44 – 46 ] and suggest that individual motivations may be significant facilitators of social participation [ 47 ]. Despite the importance of healthy lifestyle [ 36 , 48 ] and social participation [ 49 ] in pursuing healthy aging, only a small proportion of older adults practice them [ 48 , 50 ].…”

Association between social activity frequency and overall survival in older people: results from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

“…A population-based study in Chile, involving individuals aged >60 years, observed that subjects' participation in social activities had a 22% lower risk of death than those who did not participate during the 5-year study period. 16 The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a longitudinal study with a mean follow-up of 8.15 years in Norway, demonstrated that the frequency of social participation of 0.5 to less than 1, 1 to less than 2, and 2 or more times per week significantly reduced the mortality risk by 18%, 31%, and 39%, respectively. 17 Shimatani et al also explored the association between the change of the frequency in social participation and all-cause mortality for individuals aged ≥60 years in Japan; they found that continued or decreased frequency of social participation was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause mortality.…”

“…Previous studies have investigated the frequency of social participation in health maintenance. A population-based study in Chile, involving individuals aged >60 years, observed that subjects’ participation in social activities had a 22% lower risk of death than those who did not participate during the 5-year study period 16. The Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a longitudinal study with a mean follow-up of 8.15 years in Norway, demonstrated that the frequency of social participation of 0.5 to less than 1, 1 to less than 2, and 2 or more times per week significantly reduced the mortality risk by 18%, 31%, and 39%, respectively 17.…”