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Mental health among older adults in Japan: do sources of social support and negative interaction make a difference?

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  • Okabayashi, Hideki
  • Liang, Jersey
  • Krause, Neal
  • Akiyama, Hiroko
  • Sugisawa, Hidehiro

Abstract

This study addresses the question of whether social support and interpersonal strain from different sources (i.e., spouse, children, and other relatives and friends) have differential impact on mental health. Data for this research came from a national probability sample of 2200 persons aged 60 and over in Japan. Structural equation models were evaluated within the context of two types of social networks: (a) persons who had a spouse and children (n=1299), and (b) those with children only (n=677). Between these two networks, the links among social support, negative relations, and mental health were contrasted. The effects of various sources of social support and negative interactions on mental health vary depending on the specific dimension of mental health as well as the nature of social networks. Among older Japanese who are married with children, social support from spouse has a greater association with positive well-being than social support from children and others. However, cognitive functioning is uncorrelated with all sources of positive and negative social exchanges. In contrast, among those without a spouse, only greater support from children is significantly correlated with higher positive well-being, less distress, and less cognitive impairment.

Suggested Citation

  • Okabayashi, Hideki & Liang, Jersey & Krause, Neal & Akiyama, Hiroko & Sugisawa, Hidehiro, 2004. "Mental health among older adults in Japan: do sources of social support and negative interaction make a difference?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(11), pages 2259-2270, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:59:y:2004:i:11:p:2259-2270
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chau-kiu Cheung & Esther Oi-wah Chow, 2020. "Contribution of Wisdom to Well-Being in Chinese Older Adults," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 15(3), pages 913-930, July.
    2. J. Tomás & P. Sancho & M. Gutiérrez & L. Galiana, 2014. "Predicting Life Satisfaction in the Oldest-Old: A Moderator Effects Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 601-613, June.
    3. Johnston, David W. & Lordan, Grace, 2012. "Discrimination makes me sick! An examination of the discrimination–health relationship," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 99-111.
    4. Nan Zou Bakkeli, 2020. "Older Adults’ Mental Health in China: Examining the Relationship Between Income Inequality and Subjective Wellbeing Using Panel Data Analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 1349-1383, April.
    5. Haruhiko Imamura & Hideki Nakamura & Yuji Nishiwaki, 2018. "Relationship between the Well-Being of Elderly Men and Cohabiting with Women Who Have Had Experience as a Health Promotion Volunteer in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    6. P. Sancho & J. M. Tomás & A. Oliver & L. Galiana & M. Gutiérrez, 2020. "Predicting Life satisfaction in Spanish Adults of Advancing Age Attending University Educational Programs," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 271-287, January.
    7. Teerawichitchainan, Bussarawan & Pothisiri, Wiraporn & Long, Giang Thanh, 2015. "How do living arrangements and intergenerational support matter for psychological health of elderly parents? Evidence from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 106-116.
    8. Anita Padmanabhanunni & Tyrone B. Pretorius & Serena Ann Isaacs, 2023. "We Are Not Islands: The Role of Social Support in the Relationship between Perceived Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychological Distress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    9. J. M. Tomás & P. Sancho & L. Galiana & A. Oliver, 2016. "A Double Test on the Importance of Spirituality, the “Forgotten Factor”, in Successful Aging," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 127(3), pages 1377-1389, July.
    10. Maria Gabriella Melchiorre & Carlos Chiatti & Giovanni Lamura & Francisco Torres-Gonzales & Mindaugas Stankunas & Jutta Lindert & Elisabeth Ioannidi-Kapolou & Henrique Barros & Gloria Macassa & Joaqui, 2013. "Social Support, Socio-Economic Status, Health and Abuse among Older People in Seven European Countries," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, January.
    11. Daniele Didino & Ekaterina A. Taran & Kristina Gorodetski & Zarui A. Melikyan & Svetlana Nikitina & Ilya Gumennikov & Olga Korovina & Fabio Casati, 2018. "Exploring predictors of life satisfaction and happiness among Siberian older adults living in Tomsk Region," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 175-187, June.
    12. Romain Legrand & Gilles Nuemi & Michel Poulain & Patrick Manckoundia, 2021. "Description of Lifestyle, Including Social Life, Diet and Physical Activity, of People ≥90 years Living in Ikaria, a Longevity Blue Zone," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-11, June.
    13. Aranda, Luis, 2015. "Doubling up: A gift or a shame? Intergenerational households and parental depression of older Europeans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 12-22.

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