Social Support and Successful Aging in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Chukwuorji JohnBosco, Igbokwe Chima, Ome Blessing, Chidebe Runcie, Igbokwe Beatrice, Nwoke Mary, Obioha Chidiebere, Okechi Benard
Primary Institution: Michigan State University Flint
Hypothesis
The relationship between social support and successful aging would be serially mediated by both healthy lifestyle and self-esteem.
Conclusion
Strong support from family and significant others helps older adults engage in healthy behaviors and improves their self-esteem, leading to better aging outcomes.
Supporting Evidence
- Social support facilitates successful aging across all cultures.
- Healthy lifestyle and self-esteem mediate the association between social support and successful aging.
- Family support is directly associated with successful aging.
- The association between family support and successful aging is mediated by healthy lifestyle.
- The sequential path from social support to successful aging through healthy lifestyle and self-esteem is significant for family and significant other support.
Takeaway
Having friends and family who support you can help you live healthier and feel better about yourself as you get older.
Methodology
Participants completed various measures related to social support, lifestyle, self-esteem, and successful aging, and regression models were used to analyze the data.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 479 Nigerian retirees, with 53.4% female and a mean age of 64.81 years.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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