Social participation, interpersonal trust, and health: a study of 65- and 75-year-olds in western Finland.
OBJECTIVE
To study the association between social participation, interpersonal trust, and self-rated health among 65- and 75-year-olds.


METHODS
The data originates from a cross-sectional postal questionnaire survey conducted among 1577 persons aged 65 and 75 years in western Finland (response rate 67%). Logistic regression analyses were performed in order to investigate the association between social capital--in terms social participation and interpersonal trust--and health while controlling for sociodemographic variables.


RESULTS
The results showed that the social participation indicator ("active membership in organisations") was positively associated with health among 75-year-olds, but not among 65-year-olds. By contrast, interpersonal trust was positively associated with health in both age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The results imply that social participation and its association with health is moderated by age, whereas interpersonal trust is not.
Mental Health Promotion Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Vaasa, Finland. fredrica.nyqvist@thl.fi
Fredrica
F
Nyqvist
Mikael
M
Nygård
Gunborg
G
Jakobsson
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D058992:Social Participation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust