Cross-lagged associations between social connections and physical activity in older adults: Understanding synergies and direction of effects
Description: Physical activity and positive social connections are important for well-being. However, physical activity tends to decline with age, and social isolation (lack of sufficient quantity and quality of connections with others) is a top issue for older adults. Physical activity and social connections may also have positive effects on each other, as social connections can be a source of support for participating in physical activity, and physical activity contexts can be a source of social connections for older adults. Our prior research with baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) identified several social factors (social network, marital/partner status, social contact, social participation, online communication, and perceptions of tangible support) that were significant predictors of physical activity in adults aged 65 and older. Furthermore, some of these associations were moderated by sex, living arrangements, and income. However, the lack of longitudinal data precluded examining whether those associations were significant prospectively, and the possibility of reciprocal associations, which would provide important evidence about the possible causal and reciprocal effects among social connections and physical activity for older adults. This two time point longitudinal study will examine (1) whether social connection variables predict physical activity prospectively; and (2) whether physical activity also predicts social connection variables prospectively, suggesting reciprocal effects using data from participants age 65 and older from the CLSA. In both questions we will examine (3) whether these associations are moderated by sex, living arrangement, and income. Results of this study will be used to help design ways to improve social connectedness and physical activity among older adults.
Amount: CA$70,000
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Catalyst Grant: Analysis of Canadian Longitudinal Study in Aging (CLSA) Data - IPPH Mandate
Start date: 2024-03-01
End date: 2025-02-28
Investigator: Meghan McDonough
Institution: University of Calgary
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 192846_1
OpenAlex ID: G4352189752