Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults
Socially engaged older adults are less likely to decline in health and happiness and have a higher quality of life. Building upon this premise, examination was conducted on the domains of social determinants of health, specifically the social and community context per Healthy People 2030 objectives....
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Healthcare |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/3/553 |
| _version_ | 1797471166416289792 |
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| author | Keya Sen Victor Prybutok Gayle Prybutok William Senn |
| author_facet | Keya Sen Victor Prybutok Gayle Prybutok William Senn |
| author_sort | Keya Sen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Socially engaged older adults are less likely to decline in health and happiness and have a higher quality of life. Building upon this premise, examination was conducted on the domains of social determinants of health, specifically the social and community context per Healthy People 2030 objectives. These mechanisms of social interaction, in the form of group activities, community engagement, and virtual interactions via email or text message, were assessed using hierarchical regression analysis to find out their association with wellbeing, depression symptoms, and cognition of older adults. The data included a total of 4623 sample of older adults from the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) Round 8. The results showed that social support explained a 40.3% unique variance on wellbeing. The use of text message and email had a moderating effect on community engagement and self-reported depression level in older adults. Findings suggest that community programs, shared group activities, or technology training workshops can improve social interaction and support cognition and reduce depression in older adults. Directions for future research include examining human behaviors and perceptions and increasing technology training sessions to promote independence of older adults and increase their social connections. In addition, participant involvement in interventions would enhance the possibility of success of such endeavors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:46:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-80202d6165f34ff281f27389a9a561ab |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9032 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:46:27Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Healthcare |
| spelling | doaj.art-80202d6165f34ff281f27389a9a561ab2023-11-24T01:23:23ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322022-03-0110355310.3390/healthcare10030553Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older AdultsKeya Sen0Victor Prybutok1Gayle Prybutok2William Senn3School of Health Administration, College of Health Professions, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USAToulouse Graduate School, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USADepartment of Rehabilitation and Health Services, College of Health and Public Service, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USATarleton State University, Stephenville, TX 76402, USASocially engaged older adults are less likely to decline in health and happiness and have a higher quality of life. Building upon this premise, examination was conducted on the domains of social determinants of health, specifically the social and community context per Healthy People 2030 objectives. These mechanisms of social interaction, in the form of group activities, community engagement, and virtual interactions via email or text message, were assessed using hierarchical regression analysis to find out their association with wellbeing, depression symptoms, and cognition of older adults. The data included a total of 4623 sample of older adults from the National Health and Aging Trend Study (NHATS) Round 8. The results showed that social support explained a 40.3% unique variance on wellbeing. The use of text message and email had a moderating effect on community engagement and self-reported depression level in older adults. Findings suggest that community programs, shared group activities, or technology training workshops can improve social interaction and support cognition and reduce depression in older adults. Directions for future research include examining human behaviors and perceptions and increasing technology training sessions to promote independence of older adults and increase their social connections. In addition, participant involvement in interventions would enhance the possibility of success of such endeavors.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/3/553older adultsquality of lifesocial supportcommunity engagementdepression |
| spellingShingle | Keya Sen Victor Prybutok Gayle Prybutok William Senn Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults Healthcare older adults quality of life social support community engagement depression |
| title | Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults |
| title_full | Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults |
| title_fullStr | Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults |
| title_short | Mechanisms of Social Interaction and Virtual Connections as Strong Predictors of Wellbeing of Older Adults |
| title_sort | mechanisms of social interaction and virtual connections as strong predictors of wellbeing of older adults |
| topic | older adults quality of life social support community engagement depression |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/3/553 |
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