AN ANCHOR FOR BETTER PHYSICAL HEALTH AMONG OLDER ADULTS: POSITIVE FAMILY WELL-BEING
2024
Positive Family Well-Being and Physical Health in Older Adults
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Liu Yuchen, Kim Dae Hyun, Wittenberg Eve
Primary Institution: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Hypothesis
The quality of familial interactions significantly influences older adults’ objective health.
Conclusion
Positive family well-being correlates with better physical health.
Supporting Evidence
- Satisfaction with children is negatively associated with the accumulation of additional deficits.
- Satisfaction with spouses also shows a similar negative association.
- Single or unpartnered individuals show a stronger effect size in the association between satisfaction with children and frailty status.
Takeaway
Having a good relationship with family can help older people stay healthier.
Methodology
Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study was used to assess family well-being and measure objective health via a frailty index.
Participant Demographics
Older adults in China.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.76-0.83 for children; 95% CI: 0.74-0.80 for spouses.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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