Does social participation reduce the risk of functional disability among older adults in China? A survival analysis using the 2005–2011 waves of the CLHLS data

作者：Min Gao, Zhihong Sa, Yanyu Li, Weijun Zhang, Donghua Tian, Shengfa Zhang, Linni Gu · 发表于：BMC Geriatrics · 年份：2018 · DOI：10.1186/s12877-018-0903-3 · 被引用次数：204 · 研究领域：Health disparities and outcomes、Technology Use by Older Adults、Frailty in Older Adults

BACKGROUND: Existing studies in developed countries show that social participation has beneficial effects on the functional ability of older adults, but research on Chinese older people is limited. This study examined the effects of participating in different types of social activities on the onset of functional disability and the underlying behavioral and psychosocial mechanisms among older adults aged 65 and older in China. METHODS: The 2005, 2008, and 2011 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Study were used. Life table analysis and discrete time hazard models were adopted to examine the relationship between social participation and functional disability. Social participation was defined as the frequencies of engaging in group leisure-time activities (i.e., playing cards/mahjong) and organized social activities, involving in informal social interactions (i.e., number of siblings frequently visited), and participating in paid jobs. Extensive social participation was measured by a composite index by adding up the four types of social activities that an older person was engaged in. RESULTS: After controlling for the effect of socio-demographic characteristics, health status, and health behavioral factors, extensive social participation is associated with a significant reduced risk for the onset of functional disability (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.92, p < 0.001). Different types of social participation affect the risk of functional decline through different mechanisms...