Benefits of Having Friends in Older Ages: Differential Effects of Informal Social Activities on Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Huxhold, Oliver; Miche, Martina; Schüz, Benjamin

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbt029

Cited by 262 publications

(217 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…In this context, engagement or social participation has become an important object of study. Defined as the involvement of the elderly in social activities practiced in the community, social participation is associated with a lower risk of morbidities 7,8 , disability [9][10][11][12] , cognitive decline 8,12,13 and death 14,15 , and as a determinant of good quality of life and well-being in old age 16,17 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectories of social participation in old age: a systematic literature review

Pinto

Néri

2017

Rev. bras. geriatr. gerontol.

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Objective: the present study aimed to identify patterns of social participation in old age and the theories used to explain them. Method: A systematic review was performed using the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE / PUBMED), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo) and Web of Science (ISI Web of Knowledge) databases. The keywords used were: social participation, social engagement, social involvement and social activities; combined with seniors, the elderly, older adults, older people and aging. Research was performed between January and February. Results: thirty-one longitudinal studies on social participation among old and healthy middle-aged adults were included for analysis. In three studies social engagement levels increased, especially at the beginning of old age (up to 75 years). Twenty-one studies presented results that described the reduction of social engagement levels in old age, and five studies found that there was no change in levels of social involvement. The most used theories were: the activity theory, the social disengagement theory, the continuity theory and the theory of socioemotional selectivity. Conclusion: the results point to the need for reflection on what is envisioned and what is practiced in terms of policies and practices aimed at achieving successful aging. Future attempts should include not only incentives to remain active, but a description of factors that influence the social disengagement associated with poor adaptation in old age.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trajectories of social participation in old age: a systematic literature review

Pinto

Néri

2017

Rev. bras. geriatr. gerontol.

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“…Hence, although both family and friends may provide instrumental and affective support, friends are more likely to increase the positive mood and to lower negative affective feelings, augmenting life satisfaction (Merz & Huxhold, 2010;Huxhold, Miche & Schüz, 2013). This conclusion reinforces the importance of establishing sound relationships and of sharing common objectives, being them social or educational.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Older adults' education and its relation to quality of life: An Italian example

Gitto¹

2018

Journal of Aging and Long-Term Care

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Quality of Life (QoL) is a relevant topic for researchers and social policy makers developing educational programs for older adults. Such programs might be aimed at maintaining people's wellbeing: in fact, when retired, people have more time for activities that may increase their satisfaction in the moment of adaptation to old age. In this perspective, the Universities of the Third Age (UTAs) offer leisure, educational and social activities. The present study was carried out at the Libera Università della Terza Età (LUTE) in the town of Milazzo, Southern Italy, with the objective to evaluate the QoL for the people enrolled and the factors contributing to make such initiative successful. Participants to the study (n = 340) were required to fill a questionnaire asking their generalities and information about the educational initiatives followed. QoL was assessed through the administration of the WHOQoL Bref. The relationship between QoL, socio economic variables and the items of the WHOQoL Bref was tested through the estimation of an ordered logit model. Instead, the individuals' experiences at the LUTE were the focus of a correlation analysis, that considered specifically the level of satisfaction for the activities performed. The relevance of the results may be appreciated considering that the courses and educational initiatives can count on the contribution offered by volunteers. Hence, a positive outcome in terms of QoL is obtained at null or very low costs. Overall, educational initiatives directed to older adults should be actively promoted, given their implications, both from a social and economic perspective.

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“…De forma específica, resultan sensibles las dimensiones relaciones positivas, propósito en la vida y crecimiento personal. Participar en organizaciones podría entenderse una ocupación que favorece la socialización 30 , el sentido y desarrollo personal en los mayores. El número de organizaciones en que se participa también se asocia al crecimiento personal, dominio del entorno y propósito en la vida.…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

“…También destaca la participación en actividades comunitarias, siendo relevante para los mayores ser parte de un colectivo que proporcione sentido de pertenencia, estar involucrado en ocupaciones significativas que mantienen su motivación, crecimiento personal, dan sentido a su vida 19,22,47 y permiten retomar relaciones sociales 30,48 . Estos resultados son concordantes con estudios previos sobre calidad de vida realizados en Chile, donde la participación social es el dominio mejor evaluado, resaltando la satisfacción con el uso del tiempo, nivel de actividad y participar en la comunidad 6 .…”

Section: Discussionunclassified

“…En cuanto a participación en organizaciones donde se desarrollan actividades significativas, existen estudios que otorgan un rol importante en la percepción de bienestar a participar en actividades físicas 27 y/o sociales 28 y otros a participar en organizaciones comunitarias y de servicio a terceros 19,29 . Las actividades sociales mejoran el bienestar en la vejez, tanto las relacionadas con la familia, como con amistades, y estas últimas pueden amortiguar los efectos negativos del envejecimiento 30 . Algunos autores plantean que los mayores realizan menos actividades sociales, tienden a tener una red social más pequeña, mayor riesgo de aislamiento social, soledad y reducidas posibilidades de estar más activo, física y mentalmente.…”

Section: Artículo De Investigaciónunclassified

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