Why Is Social Isolation Among Older Adults Associated with Depressive Symptoms? The Mediating Role of Out-of-Home Physical Activity.
Int J Behav Med
; 25(6): 649-657, 2018 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30350258
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Social networks are known to be a key factor associated with late-life depression. However, there is limited knowledge about the pathways linking social isolation to mental health. It has been proposed that health-related behaviors such as physical activity represent one pathway. This study examines the way out-of-home physical activity mediates between social isolation and depressive symptoms in older adults.METHODS:
A subsample of 334 older adults from the ActiFE Ulm study, Germany, was randomly selected. Older adults (M = 72.6 years; 60.8% male) were interviewed at baseline and 3 years later. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Social isolation was measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS-6). Physical activity was measured by an accelerometer (activPAL) over 1 week. To identify out-of-home physical activity, a contemporary physical activity diary classified out-of-home physical activity.RESULTS:
A cross-lagged structural equation model supported an indirect effect (ß = .014, 95% CI .002 to .039) which means that being socially isolated was associated with lower levels of out-of-home physical activity, and this predicted more depressive symptoms after 3 years. However, no direct relationship was observed between social isolation from friends and neighbors at the baseline and depressive symptoms 3 years later.CONCLUSIONS:
Utilizing a longitudinal study design and accounting for reverse causality, this study extends prior work linking social isolation to depression by showing that a variety of neighbor and friendship ties are linked to fewer depressive symptoms by providing occasions for out-of-home physical activity.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Social Isolation
/
Exercise
/
Friends
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Depression
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
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Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Behav Med
Journal subject:
CIENCIAS DO COMPORTAMENTO
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: