Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling
This study provides insights into the longitudinal relation between multimorbidity, mental wellbeing, and social support. The analysis used the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees, a study of the German working population aged 40 to 54. In the context of multimorbidity, this population has been l...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2021-03-01
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| Series: | SSM: Population Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827321000197 |
| _version_ | 1818724759772332032 |
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| author | Ibrahim Demirer Matthias Bethge Karla Spyra Ute Karbach Holger Pfaff |
| author_facet | Ibrahim Demirer Matthias Bethge Karla Spyra Ute Karbach Holger Pfaff |
| author_sort | Ibrahim Demirer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study provides insights into the longitudinal relation between multimorbidity, mental wellbeing, and social support. The analysis used the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees, a study of the German working population aged 40 to 54. In the context of multimorbidity, this population has been little studied.Multimorbidity is significantly associated with reduced mental wellbeing and social support, whereas social support increases mental wellbeing. We argue that, especially among the working population, multimorbidity reduces perceived social support and decreases mental wellbeing. We elaborate on the mediation process empirically by comparing two distinct structural equation models: a cross-lagged panel mediation model that models a potential reverse-causality between social support and mental wellbeing; and a synchronous mediation model that allows for more immediate mediation.Both models estimated significant mediation. The relative size of the mediation effect, however, varied widely based on the added mediational paths (8.57% vs. 28%). Fit statistics for both models were good, and the comparison did not favour either model.We conclude that theoretical reasoning must prevail over empirical testing. The cross-lagged model implies a more longitudinal (lagged) mediation process for social support. However, we suggest an immediate, flexible mediation as more plausible. Nevertheless, we suggest that cross-lagged models, when given a data structure and time gaps, reflect the social processes adequately. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T21:31:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5c7b5f2fd3eb41d09179273e84667eee |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2352-8273 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T21:31:31Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SSM: Population Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-5c7b5f2fd3eb41d09179273e84667eee2022-12-21T21:31:52ZengElsevierSSM: Population Health2352-82732021-03-0113100744Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modellingIbrahim Demirer0Matthias Bethge1Karla Spyra2Ute Karbach3Holger Pfaff4Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) at the Faculty of Human Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, Germany; Corresponding author.Department Rehabilitation and Work. Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology at University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160; Haus V50, 23538, Lübeck, GermanyHead of the Rehabilitation Department Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Virchowweg 23, 10117, Berlin, GermanyDepartment Rehabilitation Sociology. Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences. Technical University Dortmund, Emil-Figge-Str. 50; EF50, 44227, Dortmund, GermanyDirector of Institute of Medical Sociology, Health Services Research, And Rehabilitation Science (IMVR) at the Faculty of Human Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cologne, Eupener Str. 129, 50933, Köln, GermanyThis study provides insights into the longitudinal relation between multimorbidity, mental wellbeing, and social support. The analysis used the German Sociomedical Panel of Employees, a study of the German working population aged 40 to 54. In the context of multimorbidity, this population has been little studied.Multimorbidity is significantly associated with reduced mental wellbeing and social support, whereas social support increases mental wellbeing. We argue that, especially among the working population, multimorbidity reduces perceived social support and decreases mental wellbeing. We elaborate on the mediation process empirically by comparing two distinct structural equation models: a cross-lagged panel mediation model that models a potential reverse-causality between social support and mental wellbeing; and a synchronous mediation model that allows for more immediate mediation.Both models estimated significant mediation. The relative size of the mediation effect, however, varied widely based on the added mediational paths (8.57% vs. 28%). Fit statistics for both models were good, and the comparison did not favour either model.We conclude that theoretical reasoning must prevail over empirical testing. The cross-lagged model implies a more longitudinal (lagged) mediation process for social support. However, we suggest an immediate, flexible mediation as more plausible. Nevertheless, we suggest that cross-lagged models, when given a data structure and time gaps, reflect the social processes adequately.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827321000197MultimorbidityMental wellbeingSocial supportWorking populationStructural equation modellingMediation |
| spellingShingle | Ibrahim Demirer Matthias Bethge Karla Spyra Ute Karbach Holger Pfaff Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling SSM: Population Health Multimorbidity Mental wellbeing Social support Working population Structural equation modelling Mediation |
| title | Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling |
| title_full | Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling |
| title_fullStr | Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling |
| title_short | Does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the German working population? A longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling |
| title_sort | does social support mediate the effect of multimorbidity on mental wellbeing in the german working population a longitudinal mediation analysis using structural equation modelling |
| topic | Multimorbidity Mental wellbeing Social support Working population Structural equation modelling Mediation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352827321000197 |
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