Pfund GN, Hofer M, Allemand M, Hill PL. Being Social May Be Purposeful in Older Adulthood: A Measurement Burst Design.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2022;
30:777-786. [PMID:
34924274 DOI:
10.1016/j.jagp.2021.11.009]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Sense of purpose predicts a wide array of positive health, cognitive, and well-being outcomes during older adulthood. However, work is limited regarding how social relations correspond to purposefulness in daily life. The current study explored daily social interactions as a route to daily purposefulness in older adults, using a measurement burst design.
METHODS
Older adults completed surveys for three 5-day bursts each spread 6 months apart (Mage = 70.75, SD = 7.23; N = 104).
RESULTS
Multilevel models demonstrated that on days when individuals reported more positive social interactions, they reported feeling more purposeful (est. = 0.39, 95% CI [0.28, 0.51]) when accounting for health, employment, and relationship status. Employment status moderated this association, as daily social interactions were more strongly associated with daily purpose for unemployed/retired individuals (est. = -0.23, 95% CI [-0.38, -0.08]).
CONCLUSION
Positive social interactions thus may help older adults maintain purposefulness, particularly after retirement.
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