The Long Reach of Social Relations: Gender and the SES-Health Link
Author Information
Author(s): Antonucci Toni, Brauer Simon, Cho Joonyoung, Ghose Urmimala, Ajrouch Kristine
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
Does education predict baseline health and its change over time in middle-aged and older adults, and do social relations mediate or moderate this link?
Conclusion
The health of lower-educated men with supportive relationships can be similar to that of higher-educated men early in life, but diverges later.
Supporting Evidence
- Education is a strong predictor of health in middle-aged and older adults.
- Social relations do not mediate or moderate the education-health link for females.
- Lower-educated men with supportive relationships have health similar to higher-educated men at baseline.
Takeaway
Having good relationships can help lower-educated men stay healthy, especially when they have someone to talk to.
Methodology
Longitudinal data analysis over 25 years using structural equation models, stratified by gender.
Limitations
The study is limited to a specific geographic area and may not generalize to other populations.
Participant Demographics
Adults aged 40-93 from the Detroit area, with a sample of 330 males and 468 females.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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