Perceived social isolation, social disconnectedness and falls: the mediating role of depression.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

to estimate the association of social disconnectedness and perceived social isolation with the risk of falls and also investigate whether depression mediated this association.

Method

Biennial longitudinal survey data from 2006 to 2012 waves of the U.S. Health and Retirement Study of adults aged 65 and older (N = 22,153 observations) were examined. The outcome variable was number of self-reported falls over the observation period. Independent variables included social isolation (social disconnectedness, perceived social isolation) and number of depressive symptoms. Generalized Estimating Equation regressions were performed to address the research questions.

Results

Regression models indicated that social disconnectedness is associated with a 5% increase in t

SUBMITTER: Quach LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7483756 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature