Association between social group participation and perceived health among elderly inhabitants of a previously methylmercury-polluted area

Abstract

Objective This study attempted to clarify the association between participation in a social group and perceived health among elderly residents of a previously methylmercury-polluted area in Japan. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using eligible subjects from the Shiranui Sea coastal area, where mercury poisoning due to daily intake of fish and shellfish had previously caused some residents to develop the neurological disorder ''Minamata disease (MD).'' In the present study, we selected subjects aged C65 years who had never been diagnosed with MD or applied for medical treatment compensation.Results A logistic regression model after adjusting for confounding factors showed that membership in a hobby or volunteer group was associated with good perceived health (odds ratio 1.97, 95 % confidence interval 1.02-3.80). Conclusion Our results showed that the effects of membership in social groups on perceived health were not equal across all social groups, with only hobby-or volunteerrelated groups having a positive effect on perceived health. Our findings suggested that promoting participation in a social group such as hobby-or volunteer-related groups can help improve perceived health among elderly individuals who had experienced environmental pollution incidents.

Empowering a group of seniors in a rural community

“…It also is worth noting that the good results achieved prompted an initiative to form another group in a nearby community, also for older people; members also expressed their intention to create an Elderly association (testimony ER 2 and IG 18 of Chart 3, respectively). In this context, it is noted that accessibility is a strong factor influencing participation of older people in social groups (30) , a relevant aspect especially in rural areas where distance may discourage participation in activities. Thus, the initiative to create new sites can facilitate access for enabling the group.…”

It is not enough to be a member: conditions for health benefits in associative participation (Ser miembro no es suficiente: condiciones en las que la participación asociativa reporta beneficios para la salud)

“…Muchos estudios transversales identifican estos impactos positivos particularmente en poblaciones de mayor edad. Por ejemplo, Tanaka et al (2014) demostró que, en un grupo de población de edad avanzada expuesta a un desastre ambiental, la salud percibida estaba vinculada a la participación grupal, pero solo en asociaciones en las que se realizaban trabajos voluntarios. Otros estudios longitudinales (Harris & Thoresen, 2005) y metanalíticos han confirmado estos efectos del voluntariado.…”

“…Un segundo aspecto relacionado con la participación asociativa y la salud tiene que ver con el modo en que se operacionaliza esta participación. Diversos estudios analizan el número de asociaciones en las que participa la persona (e.g., Gallagher et al, 2019), mientras que otros diferencian entre las personas ajenas a la organización, los socios de esta y los voluntarios (e.g., Gil-Lacruz et al, 2019; Hoye et al, 2015; Lima, 2019) e incluso otros tienen en cuenta el tiempo dedicado a las actividades asociativas (e.g., Ahmed-Mohamed et al, 2015; Tanaka et al, 2014; Thoits, 2012). Aunque todos estos indicadores están asociados con un aumento en el bienestar, es posible que existan distintos procesos que intervienen en este tipo de participación.…”

“…A second issue related to associative involvement and health has to do with the way it is operationalized. Some studies consider the number of associations in which participants are involved (e.g., Gallagher et al, 2019), others differentiate between being a non-member, a member and a volunteer (e.g., Gil-Lacruz et al, 2019; Hoye et al, 2015; Lima, 2019) and others consider the amount of time spent in associative activities (e.g., Ahmed-Mohamed et al, 2015; Tanaka et al, 2014; Thoits, 2012). While all of these indicators are associated with increased well-being, different processes are probably at stake in these types of involvement.…”

“…Many cross-sectional studies have identified these positive impacts, particularly in older populations. For example, Tanaka et al (2014) showed that among senior citizens exposed to an environmental disaster, perceived health was linked to group participation, but only for associations where voluntary work was performed. Longitudinal studies (Harris & Thoresen, 2005) and meta-analytic studies confirmed these causal effects of volunteerism.…”