Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Social support is an exchange of resources between at least two individuals which is perceived by the provider or the recipient to be intended to enhance the well- being of the recipient. This study aims to describe the perceived social support and related factors among elderly in Malaysia. METHODS: We used a validated tool, the 11-item Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) to assess perceived social support through face to face interview. Higher scores indicate better social support, where the DSSI 11-item scores range from 11 to 33. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Linear regression analysis was done to determine factors which influence perceived social support by adapting the conceptual model of social support determinants and its impact on health. RESULTS: A total of 3,959 respondents aged 60 years and above completed the DSSI. The estimated mean DSSI score was 27.65 (95%CI: 27.36, 27.95). Adjusted for confounders, the few factors found significantly associated with low social support among elderly were female gender (0.360, 95%CI: 0.157, 0.563), low income group; income below RM1000 (-0.208, 95%CI: -0.515, 0.099), low number of close friends; no close friend/person (-4.439, 95%CI: -4.908, -3.970), 1-2 close friends (-2.430, 95%CI: -2.773, -2.086), being single (-0.470, 95%CI: -0.702, -0.239), unemployed (0.276, 95%CI: 0.068, 0.484), less participation in society/religious activity; 0-1 time (-3.33, 95%CI: -3.683, -2.970), 2-5 times (-2.068, 95%CI: -2.411, -1.726), probable depression (-1.741, 95%CI: -2.141, -1.341), functional limitation (-0.468, 95%CI: -0.833,-0.102) and dependency in instrumental activities of daily living (-0.365, 95%CI: -0.624, -0.108). DISCUSSION: Sociodemographic (gender, income, marital status and occupation), social network (close friends), social involvement (society/religious activity) and personal health status are factors which influence social support in elderly. Community-empowerment programmes and special activities should be emphasized as interventions to enhance social support among the elderly.
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@proceedings{APCPH-2019-27,
title = {How Do Malaysian Elderly Perceive Their Social Support?},
author = {Mohd Amierul Fikri Mahmud and Hazrin Hashim and Eida Nurhadzira Muhammad and Mohd Aznuddin Abdul Razak and Mohd Hatta Abdul Muttalip and Nor Azna Mahmud and Nor Asiah Muhamad Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi and Claire Choo Wan Yuen},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-07-22},
urldate = {2019-07-22},
journal = {6th Asia-Pacific Conference on Public Health 2019 Proceedings},
issue = {6},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Social support is an exchange of resources between at least two individuals which is perceived by the provider or the recipient to be intended to enhance the well- being of the recipient. This study aims to describe the perceived social support and related factors among elderly in Malaysia. METHODS: We used a validated tool, the 11-item Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) to assess perceived social support through face to face interview. Higher scores indicate better social support, where the DSSI 11-item scores range from 11 to 33. Data were analysed using SPSS version 23. Linear regression analysis was done to determine factors which influence perceived social support by adapting the conceptual model of social support determinants and its impact on health. RESULTS: A total of 3,959 respondents aged 60 years and above completed the DSSI. The estimated mean DSSI score was 27.65 (95%CI: 27.36, 27.95). Adjusted for confounders, the few factors found significantly associated with low social support among elderly were female gender (0.360, 95%CI: 0.157, 0.563), low income group; income below RM1000 (-0.208, 95%CI: -0.515, 0.099), low number of close friends; no close friend/person (-4.439, 95%CI: -4.908, -3.970), 1-2 close friends (-2.430, 95%CI: -2.773, -2.086), being single (-0.470, 95%CI: -0.702, -0.239), unemployed (0.276, 95%CI: 0.068, 0.484), less participation in society/religious activity; 0-1 time (-3.33, 95%CI: -3.683, -2.970), 2-5 times (-2.068, 95%CI: -2.411, -1.726), probable depression (-1.741, 95%CI: -2.141, -1.341), functional limitation (-0.468, 95%CI: -0.833,-0.102) and dependency in instrumental activities of daily living (-0.365, 95%CI: -0.624, -0.108). DISCUSSION: Sociodemographic (gender, income, marital status and occupation), social network (close friends), social involvement (society/religious activity) and personal health status are factors which influence social support in elderly. Community-empowerment programmes and special activities should be emphasized as interventions to enhance social support among the elderly.},
note = {Type: PLENARY AND SYMPOSIUM; Organisation: 1Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health, Malaysia, 2Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya},
keywords = {Duke Social Support Index, Elderly, social networking, social support},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {proceedings}
}