Christian Hakulinen1, Laura Pulkki-Råback2, Markus Jokela3, Jane E Ferrie4, Anna-Mari Aalto5, Marianna Virtanen6, Mika Kivimäki7, Jussi Vahtera8, Marko Elovainio1. 1. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland. 2. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 3. Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. 5. National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland. 6. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. 7. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. 8. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social support is associated with better health. However, only a limited number of studies have examined the association of social support with health from the adult life course perspective and whether this association is bidirectional. METHODS: Participants (n=6797; 30% women; age range from 40 to 77 years) who were followed from 1989 (phase 2) to 2006 (phase 8) were selected from the ongoing Whitehall II Study. Structural and functional social support was measured at follow-up phases 2, 5 and 7. Mental and physical health was measured at five consecutive follow-up phases (3-8). RESULTS: Social support predicted better mental health, and certain functional aspects of social support, such as higher practical support and higher levels of negative aspects in social relationships, predicted poorer physical health. The association between negative aspects of close relationships and physical health was found to strengthen over the adult life course. In women, the association between marital status and mental health weakened until the age of approximately 60 years. Better mental and physical health was associated with higher future social support. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of the association between social support and health may vary over the adult life course. The association with health seems to be bidirectional. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
BACKGROUND: Social support is associated with better health. However, only a limited number of studies have examined the association of social support with health from the adult life course perspective and whether this association is bidirectional. METHODS: Participants (n=6797; 30% women; age range from 40 to 77 years) who were followed from 1989 (phase 2) to 2006 (phase 8) were selected from the ongoing Whitehall II Study. Structural and functional social support was measured at follow-up phases 2, 5 and 7. Mental and physical health was measured at five consecutive follow-up phases (3-8). RESULTS: Social support predicted better mental health, and certain functional aspects of social support, such as higher practical support and higher levels of negative aspects in social relationships, predicted poorer physical health. The association between negative aspects of close relationships and physical health was found to strengthen over the adult life course. In women, the association between marital status and mental health weakened until the age of approximately 60 years. Better mental and physical health was associated with higher future social support. CONCLUSIONS: The strength of the association between social support and health may vary over the adult life course. The association with health seems to be bidirectional. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/
Entities:
Keywords:
MENTAL HEALTH; SELF-RATED HEALTH; SOCIAL EPIDEMIOLOGY; Social and life-course epidemiology
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