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27.10.2015

Gender differences in the effect of social support on health-related quality of life: results of a population-based prospective cohort study in old age in Germany

verfasst von: André Hajek, Christian Brettschneider, Carolin Lange, Tina Posselt, Birgitt Wiese, Susanne Steinmann, Siegfried Weyerer, Jochen Werle, Michael Pentzek, Angela Fuchs, Janine Stein, Tobias Luck, Horst Bickel, Edelgard Mösch, Steffen Wolfsgruber, Kathrin Heser, Wolfgang Maier, Martin Scherer, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller, Hans-Helmut König

Erschienen in: Quality of Life Research | Ausgabe 5/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

The causality between social predictors and HRQoL in old age remains almost unclear as only a few studies have examined the influence of social support on HRQoL in a longitudinal setting. Moreover, available studies investigating gender differences in the effect of social support on HRQoL in old age have been solely cross-sectional. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine whether social support affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in old age and whether this effect is moderated by gender.

Methods

In a population-based cohort (N = 2443) of people aged 75 years and older in Germany, the development of HRQoL was prospectively observed over a 3-year period. Quality of life was quantified by using the visual analogue scale of the EQ-5D instrument. Social support was assessed by using the 14-item form of the questionnaire for social support (F-SozU K-14). In order to control for unobserved heterogeneity, fixed-effects regression analysis was used.

Results

In the total sample (β = 0.55, p < 0.05) and in men (β = 1.39, p < 0.001), a strong positive impact of social support on HRQoL was found. There was no significant effect of social support on HRQoL in women. The effect of social support on HRQoL was significantly moderated by gender (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Findings accentuate the fundamental role of social support in HRQoL in old age. Particularly in men, it is therefore crucial to strengthen the social ties in old age.

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Titel: Gender differences in the effect of social support on health-related quality of life: results of a population-based prospective cohort study in old age in Germany
verfasst von: André Hajek
Christian Brettschneider
Carolin Lange
Tina Posselt
Birgitt Wiese
Susanne Steinmann
Siegfried Weyerer
Jochen Werle
Michael Pentzek
Angela Fuchs
Janine Stein
Tobias Luck
Horst Bickel
Edelgard Mösch
Steffen Wolfsgruber
Kathrin Heser
Wolfgang Maier
Martin Scherer
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
Hans-Helmut König
Publikationsdatum: 27.10.2015
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Erschienen in: Quality of Life Research / Ausgabe 5/2016
Print ISSN: 0962-9343
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-2649
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1166-5

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Springer Medizin

Gender differences in the effect of social support on health-related quality of life: results of a population-based prospective cohort study in old age in Germany

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Live-Webinar: Aktuelle Leitlinien bei Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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