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Influence of Living Arrangements of Community Dwelling Older Adults on the Association between Social Capital and Health

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Social Capital as a Health Resource in Later Life: The Relevance of Context

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 11))

Abstract

The influence of living arrangements on the association between neighborhood connectedness and health among older adults remains poorly understood. By living arrangements, we mean whether the elder lives alone or with others. The purpose of this study was to compare relationships between indicators of social capital, a concept measuring neighborhood connectedness, and health outcomes among older adults living alone versus those living with others. A sample of 2314 adults (65 years and older) living in urban and suburban communities of Southeastern Pennsylvania were obtained from the Community Health Database (2010). Social capital indicators (support, participation, cohesion, trust and interaction) were regressed onto health outcomes (self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), depressive symptoms and stress) while controlling for age, sex, race, education, poverty, and marital status. Regressions were run after the sample was split according to living arrangements (living alone vs. living with others). The results showed that social capital indicators were associated with self-rated health, depressive symptoms and stress. These associations differed by living arrangements. Participation, trust and interaction were important for elders living alone, while trust and cohesion were important for elders living with others. This study reinforces the need to take into account the living arrangements of community dwelling older adults when examining the relationship between social capital and health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, 02467, Chestnut Hill, McGuinn Hall MA, USA

    Julie A. Norstrand

  2. Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

    Allen Glicksman PhD

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA

    Allen Glicksman PhD

Authors
  1. Julie A. Norstrand
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  2. Allen Glicksman PhD
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Correspondence to Julie A. Norstrand .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies, Study Programme in Social Sciences, Social Policy, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland

    Fredrica Nyqvist

  2. Faculty of Education and Welfare Studies, Study Programme in Social Sciences, Developmental Psychology, Åbo Akademi University, Vaasa, Finland

    Anna K. Forsman

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Norstrand, J., Glicksman, A. (2015). Influence of Living Arrangements of Community Dwelling Older Adults on the Association between Social Capital and Health. In: Nyqvist, F., Forsman, A. (eds) Social Capital as a Health Resource in Later Life: The Relevance of Context. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 11. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9615-6_6

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