Low level social engagement as a precursor of mortality among people in later life.
OBJECTIVE
to examine if a low level of social engagement is a precursor for mortality.


METHODS
a case-control design, controlling for physical health, age and sex examining social engagement and morale. We took measures on 3 occasions, 4 years apart.


RESULTS
a low level of social engagement was an important precursor of 8-year mortality. There were intermediate significant differences for social engagement, physical health and morale.


CONCLUSIONS
levels of social engagement either have a direct effect on mortality, or represent hidden health problems, acting as a marker for later ill health. Social engagement may also have a role in intermediate declines in physical health and morale.
Bennett
Kate Mary
KM
Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool L69 7ZA, UK. kmb@liv.ac.uk
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires