Open AccessDoes Social Capital Benefit Older Adults’ Health and Well-Being? The Mediating Role of Physical Activity
Author(s) -
Filip Boen,
Johan Pelssers,
Jeroen Scheerder,
Norbert Vanbeselaere,
Steven Vos,
Emalie Hurkmans,
Tim Smits,
Katrien Fransen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of aging and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1552-6887
pISSN - 0898-2643
DOI - 10.1177/0898264319848638
Subject(s) - social connectedness , social capital , psychology , gerontology , well being , sociocultural evolution , physical activity , social support , developmental psychology , medicine , social psychology , sociology , social science , anthropology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , psychotherapist
Objectives: To assess whether social capital benefits older adults' self-rated health and well-being and whether physical activity mediates this relation. Methods: A survey study was conducted among members of a sociocultural organization (age ≥55 years), both cross-sectionally (baseline Time 1; N = 959) and longitudinally (3-year follow-up Time 2; N = 409). Results: Specific indicators of social capital were positively, though modestly, related to health and well-being at Time 1 and Time 2. Experienced connectedness with age peers emerged as the strongest predictor. Physical activity only mediated the relation with experienced safety in society. Discussion: The relative importance of older adults' experienced connectedness with their age peers underlines the importance of internalized group membership as a determinant of their health and well-being. Physical activity seems to play only a minor mediating role.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom