Effects of Social Support on Health Behaviors in Elderly Women
Social support has been shown to influence health behavior, especially among the populations of elderly African American and white women. Positive social support is commonly defined as the interpersonal transactions accessible to an individual through social ties to other individuals or groups that provide support, affirmation and aid. This study used data based on a subgroup of 729 African American and white women over the age of 60 from the American's Changing Lives study conducted by James House. Health behavior data included body mass index, physical activity, and cigarette smoking. Using repeated measures, we found that social support from friends, spouses, and children affects health behaviors. Preliminary research showed that women closer to friends tended to have more positive health behavior outcomes than those closer to spouses or children. By analyzing the research, we can better understand what kind of public health intervention would optimally impact the health behavior of both African American and white elderly women as they age, and determine if such interventions should be culturally specific.
School:
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Department:
Biological Sciences & Public Health
Research Advisor:
Shevon Harvey
Department of Research Advisor:
Kinesiology & Community Health
Year of Publication:
2008