Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15(1), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010158
Restricted Social Engagement among Adults Living with Chronic Conditions
Kayla P. Meek 1, Caroline D. Bergeron 2,3
, Samuel D. Towne 3,4,5, SangNam Ahn 3,6, Marcia G. Ory 3,4 and Matthew Lee Smith 1,3,4,*
, Samuel D. Towne 3,4,5, SangNam Ahn 3,6, Marcia G. Ory 3,4 and Matthew Lee Smith 1,3,4,*
1
College of Public Health, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
2
Bexar County Community Health Collaborative, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA
3
Center for Population Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
4
School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
5
Southwest Rural Health Research Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
6
School of Public Health, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 13 December 2017 / Revised: 6 January 2018 / Accepted: 15 January 2018 / Published: 19 January 2018
(This article belongs to the Collection Aging and Public Health)
Abstract
Background: Social engagement is key to health and quality of life. Little is known about social engagement patterns of middle-aged and older adults who live with one or more chronic illnesses. This study investigated social engagement restrictions among middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions and factors associated with these restrictions. Methods: Cross-sectional representative data from the National Council on Aging Chronic Care Survey were examined for relationships between social engagement restrictions and chronic conditions, health status, support, quality of life implications, self-care barriers, caregiving, and demographics. Associations were tested using bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression. Results: Participants were 793 middle-aged (age 44–64) and older adults (age 65+) with one or more chronic conditions. Factors associated with social engagement restrictions included having higher education, receiving care, having more physician visits and hospitalizations, being disabled, being unemployed, and having higher Emotional and Physical Problems Scale scores. Conclusions: Findings reveal the prevalence of social engagement restrictions among middle-aged and older adults with chronic conditions. Results highlight the importance of promoting research, assessments, and interventions to increase social engagement among this aging population. View Full-TextKeywords:
aging; chronic disease; disease management; social isolation; socialization; intervention
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Meek, K.P.; Bergeron, C.D.; Towne, S.D.; Ahn, S.; Ory, M.G.; Smith, M.L. Restricted Social Engagement among Adults Living with Chronic Conditions. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 158.
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