Restricted Social Engagement among Adults Living with Chronic Conditions

Kayla P. Meek, Caroline D. Bergeron, Samuel D. Towne, SangNam Ahn, Marcia G. Ory and Matthew Lee Smith
Additional contact information
Kayla P. Meek: College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
Caroline D. Bergeron: Bexar County Community Health Collaborative, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
Samuel D. Towne: Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
SangNam Ahn: Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Marcia G. Ory: Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Matthew Lee Smith: College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Background : Social engagement is key to health and quality of life. Little is known about social engagement patterns of middle-aged and older adults who live with one or more chronic illnesses. This study investigated social engagement restrictions among middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions and factors associated with these restrictions. Methods : Cross-sectional representative data from the National Council on Aging Chronic Care Survey were examined for relationships between social engagement restrictions and chronic conditions, health status, support, quality of life implications, self-care barriers, caregiving, and demographics. Associations were tested using bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression. Results : Participants were 793 middle-aged (age 44–64) and older adults (age 65+) with one or more chronic conditions. Factors associated with social engagement restrictions included having higher education, receiving care, having more physician visits and hospitalizations, being disabled, being unemployed, and having higher Emotional and Physical Problems Scale scores. Conclusions : Findings reveal the prevalence of social engagement restrictions among middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions. Results highlight the importance of promoting research, assessments, and interventions to increase social engagement among this aging population.

Keywords: aging; chronic disease; disease management; social isolation; socialization; intervention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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