title: Effects of social support and personal coping resources on mortality in older age: the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.
abstract: This study focuses on the role of social support and personal coping resources in relation to mortality among older persons in the Netherlands. Data are from a sample of 2,829 noninstitutionalized people aged between 55 and 85 years who took part in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam in 1992-1995. Social support was operationally defined by structural, functional, and perceived aspects, and personal coping resources included measures of mastery, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Mortality data were obtained during a follow-up of 29 months, on average. Cox proportional hazards regression models revealed that having fewer feelings of loneliness and greater feelings of mastery are directly associated with a reduced mortality risk when age, sex, chronic diseases, use of alcohol, smoking, self-rated health, and functional limitations are controlled for. In addition, persons who received a moderate level of emotional support (odds ratio (OR) = 0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.33-0.72) and those who received a high level of support (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.47-0.98) had reduced mortality risks when compared with persons who received a low level of emotional support. Receipt of a high level of instrumental support was related to a higher risk of death (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.12-2.69). Interaction between disease status and social support or personal coping resources on mortality could not be demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Penninx
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van Tilburg
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kriegsman
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Deeg
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Boeke
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: van Eijk
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support