Association Between Social Support Dimensions and Mortality Among Older Adults: 21-Year Follow-Up of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) Study

Abstract

To investigate different social support dimensions and their association with mortality among older adults in Finland. This study is part of the longitudinal population-based Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study (N = 1,295), with an age range of 65 to 80 years and a follow-up of 21 years. Cox proportional hazard models were used. In the unadjusted analyses, older adults without general social support and health-related social support from nonrelatives had higher mortality risk than those with social support in the overall population, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.02, 1.48]), (HR 1.23; [1.04, 1.44]). After stratifying into age groups and adjusting for covariates, heterogeneous trajectories emerged for associations between social support dimensions and mortality. Lack of social support predicts mortality even after 21 years of follow-up. The findings highlight the diversity of social support patterns and the importance of preventive measures when aiming to support health and well-being in later life. Future research should harness age variations to understand the different needs and explore nonrelatives’ roles in social support.