Age Differences in Social Interactions and Somatic Symptoms in Daily Life
Year: 2017
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Social interactions exert influences on health in daily life. Less is known, however, about age differences in the associations between different aspects of social interactions and daily health. This study examines how daily within-person fluctuations in the quality and quantity of social interactions relate to fluctuations in somatic symptoms for adults from different age groups. For seven consecutive days, participants (n=179; aged 20–79) reported on their most recent social interaction at five random times throughout the day and completed a checklist of somatic symptoms at the end of the day. Data were analyzed using multilevel models, controlling for demographics, overall health and perceived social support, as well as the momentary physical health and affect. The results suggested that social interaction quality was associated with fewer health symptoms for older and middle-aged adults but not for younger adults. That is, for older and middle-aged adults, on days when they experienced more pleasant or less unpleasant social interactions than usual, they also reported fewer health symptoms at the end of that day. In addition, when people did report one or more symptoms (as opposite to no symptom), the quantity of social interactions (frequency) was associated with reduced severity and frequency of symptoms that day, albeit only for younger adults and not for middle-aged and older adults. Together, these results highlight the influence of different aspects of social interactions on daily health for adults from distinct age groups: for younger, it’s the quantity; for older, it’s the quality.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Authors: R. Zhaoyang, M. Sliwinski, J. Smyth
Institution: Pennsylvania State University
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2726032722