Social participation and self-rated health among older male veterans and non-veterans.
OBJECTIVE
To examine self-rated health (SRH) and its association with social participation, along with physical and mental health indicators, among USA male veterans and non-veterans aged ≥65 years.


METHODS
The two waves of the National Health and Aging Trend Study provided data (n = 2845 at wave 1; n = 2235 at wave 2). Multilevel mixed effects generalized linear models were fit to test the hypotheses.


RESULTS
Despite their older age, veterans did not differ from non-veterans in their physical, mental and cognitive health, and they had better SRH. However, black and Hispanic veterans had lower SRH than non-Hispanic white veterans. Formal group activities and outings for enjoyment were positively associated with better SRH for veterans, non-veterans and all veteran cohorts.


CONCLUSIONS
Aging veterans, especially black and Hispanic veterans, require programs and services that will help increase their social connectedness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 920-927.
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
Namkee G
NG
Choi
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
Diana M
DM
DiNitto
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.
C Nathan
CN
Marti
D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D057566:Self Report; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D058014:Veterans Health / Q000208:ethnology*
aging veterans; formal group activities; self-rated health; social connectedness; social participation