Article

Social support can improve participation in everyday activities among older
adults with chronic health conditions, but the specific types of support that are
needed are unclear.
This study examined the types of social support that
most strongly predict participation in everyday activities. METHOD: Two hundred
and twenty-seven participants completed a self-administered cross-sectional
survey. The sample included adults aged 60 years or more with arthritis,
diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or heart disease.
Participation was defined as satisfaction with participation in 11 life areas.
Social support was defined as availability of tangible, affectionate,
emotional /informational and positive social interaction support. RESULTS:
Multiple regression analyses showed that participants who perceived greater
tangible support and positive social interaction support had higher satisfaction
with participation than participants with lower levels of these types of support.
CONCLUSIONS: Targeting and developing tangible and social interaction support may
help to facilitate satisfaction with participation for older adults with chronic
conditions. Creating networks for companionship appears equally as important as
providing support for daily living needs. Implications for Rehabilitation Varying
types of social support can improve participation in older adults with chronic
health conditions. Tangible support and positive social interaction support are
the strongest predictors of participation. Creating networks for companionship
may be equally as important as providing support for daily living needs.

Langue : ANGLAIS