Olli Nummela1, Tommi Sulander, Antti Karisto, Antti Uutela. 1. Health Promotion Unit, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute (KTL), Mannerheimintie 166, 00300 Helsinki, Finland. olli.nummela@ktl.fi
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found self-rated health to be associated with social capital. However, there is lack of studies examining social capital among aging people and its impact on self-rated health in the urban-rural context. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between self-rated health and indicators of social capital (trust, various social contacts, social participation, and access to help) among aging people living in urban and rural areas in Finland. METHOD: A postal survey was conducted in 2002 among men and women born in 1926-1930, 1936-1940, or 1946-1950 and dwelling in 14 municipalities in the Päijät-Häme hospital district in Finland. A total of 2,815 participants represented 66% of the original stratified (by age, gender, and municipality) sample. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations. RESULTS: Active social participation and easy access to help from others were associated with good self-rated health, especially in the urban and sparsely populated rural areas. Trust was a particularly important correlate of subjective health in the urban area, though its significance diminished after adjusting to all background variables. No overall disparities in self-rated health between the areas emerged. Social participation and access to help as indicators of social capital seem to be important resources when aging men and women assess their subjective health. CONCLUSION: Increasing efforts to encourage social participation and facilitate access to help from other persons should be included among the key priorities in community health promotion.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found self-rated health to be associated with social capital. However, there is lack of studies examining social capital among aging people and its impact on self-rated health in the urban-rural context. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between self-rated health and indicators of social capital (trust, various social contacts, social participation, and access to help) among aging people living in urban and rural areas in Finland. METHOD: A postal survey was conducted in 2002 among men and women born in 1926-1930, 1936-1940, or 1946-1950 and dwelling in 14 municipalities in the Päijät-Häme hospital district in Finland. A total of 2,815 participants represented 66% of the original stratified (by age, gender, and municipality) sample. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations. RESULTS:Active social participation and easy access to help from others were associated with good self-rated health, especially in the urban and sparsely populated rural areas. Trust was a particularly important correlate of subjective health in the urban area, though its significance diminished after adjusting to all background variables. No overall disparities in self-rated health between the areas emerged. Social participation and access to help as indicators of social capital seem to be important resources when aging men and women assess their subjective health. CONCLUSION: Increasing efforts to encourage social participation and facilitate access to help from other persons should be included among the key priorities in community health promotion.
Authors: Mikael Fogelholm; Raisa Valve; Pilvikki Absetz; Heikki Heinonen; Antti Uutela; Kristiina Patja; Antti Karisto; Riikka Konttinen; Tiina Mäkelä; Aulikki Nissinen; Piia Jallinoja; Olli Nummela; Martti Talja Journal: Scand J Public Health Date: 2006 Impact factor: 3.021
Authors: Tarja Nieminen; Tuija Martelin; Seppo Koskinen; Hillevi Aro; Erkki Alanen; Markku T Hyyppä Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2010-04-02 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Hiam Chemaitelly; Caroline Kanaan; Hind Beydoun; Monique Chaaya; Mona Kanaan; Abla M Sibai Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2012-09-26 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Lovisa Boström; Carlos Chiatti; Björg Thordardottir; Lisa Ekstam; Agneta Malmgren Fänge Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-09-27 Impact factor: 3.390