Relationship between social function and social well-being in older adults

Abstract

Objectives: Health refers to the condition of perfect physical, mental and social well-being. The appropriate social well-being is the opposite of loneliness and depression. Social wellbeing is a psychosocial concept that is affected by many factors. This study determined the relationship between social function and social well-being in older adults. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted on 550 older adults in Tehran. The participants were selected by multistage cluster sampling. Data was collected using Social Well-being Scale and Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson coefficient and linear regression analysis in SPSS v. 22. Results: The mean age of participants was 66.10±6.68 years. The female participants accounted for 41.1% of subjects. There were significant correlations between all aspects of social function (quality of activities and the quality of relationships) and social well-being dimensions (P < 0.01). The quality of activities had significant positive effects on all aspects of social well-being (P < 0.01), and the quality of relationships also had significant effects on different aspects of social well-being, except on social coherence (P = n.s). Discussion: The findings showed that the social function affects social well-being. So individuals with higher social functioning also have higher social well-being and mental health.