Social integration and age-related decline in lung function.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We tested the hypothesis that social integration, measured as number of social roles, is associated with less age-related loss of lung function, an important marker of health and longevity. We also investigated possible psychological factors through which social integration might influence lung health.

Methods

Data were analyzed from the Health and Retirement Study (ages 52-94, n = 4,224).

Results and conclusions

Each additional social role reported at baseline was associated with less of a decline in lung function between baseline and the follow-up assessment four years later. The association withstood controls for demographics, weight, and height and was mediated by more positive and less negative affect and lower rates of cigarette smoking and more physi

SUBMITTER: Crittenden CN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5920732 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature