What really matters in the social network–mortality association? A multivariate examination among older Jewish-Israelis

Abstract

The aim of the inquiry was to examine the social network-mortality association within a wider multivariate context that accounts for the eVects of background framing forces and psychobiological pathways. The inquiry was based upon the Berkman et al. (2000) conceptual model of the determinants of health. Its main purpose was to identify the salient network correlates of 7-year all cause mortality among Jewish men and women, aged 70 and over, in Israel (n = 1,811). The investigation utilized baseline data from a national household survey of older adults from 1997 that was linked to records from the National Death Registry, updated through 2004. At the time of the study, 38% of the sample had died. Multivariate Cox hazard regressions identiWed two main network-related components as predictors of survival: contact with friends, a social network interaction variable, and attendance at a synagogue, a social engagement variable. Friendship ties are seen to uniquely reduce mortality risk because they are based on choice in nature, and reXect a sense of personal control. Synagogue attendance is seen to promote survival mainly through its function as a source of communal attachment and, perhaps, as a reXection of spirituality as well. Other possibly network-related correlates of mortality were also noted in the current analysis-the receipt of instrumental support and the state of childlessness.

Getting off the hedonic treadmill, one step at a time: The impact of regular religious practice and exercise on well-being

“…If people choose activities in order to maximize their wellbeing, one would expect the least happy people to attend the most often, since they would benefit most from these boosts, leading to a negative correlation rather than the positive one we found. In addition, Litwin (2007) found that after controlling for covariates such as social involvement and physical health, religious involvement only improved mortality risk for those who attended services regularly, consistent with our theory that lasting change only occurs with frequent involvement.…”

The Protective Effect of Marriage on Health and Survival: Does It Persist at Oldest-Old Ages?

“…This is because the importance of spousal support in different countries or cultures varies (Litwin 2007), and because there is a significant difference in the composition of personal support networks between Chinese and Westerners, with the former preferring turning to non-kin such as friends and coworkers when they are confronting emotional issues . In China, the social support received from friends, relatives, coworkers, and neighbors is more powerful than spousal support at oldest-old ages in determining healthy longevity .…”

Who Benefits from Religion?

“…At the individual level, many studies have shown that religion is linked to various measures of physical health, such as lower rates of coronary disease, emphysema and cirrhosis (Comstock and Partridge 1972), lower blood pressure (Larson et al 1989), and longer life expectancy (George et al 2002;Hummer et al 1999;Idler and Kasl 1997;Koenig 1997;Larson et al 1997;Litwin 2007;Plante and Sherman 2001;Seybold and Hill 2001) Researchers investigating a wide array of psychological disorders-such as depression-have generally found religious involvement to be related to better mental health as well (Hackney and Sanders 2003;Kendler et al 2003;Larson et al 1992;Smith et al 2003).…”