Satisfaction With Support Given and Its Association With Subsequent Health Status.

Objectives: This study investigates health outcomes of older individuals who reported on their level of satisfaction with support given to family, friends, or community organizations. Methods: A 3-year prospective cohort study of women aged 65 and older. Results: Higher scores on the giving support scale predicted better lower-body function (Β= .06; SE .02; p= .02) and less ADL difficulty (Β= -.18; SE .04; p= .0001). The scale was also significantly associated with future hospitalization and death. Women in the lowest quartile were 28%more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk [RR] 1.28; 95%CI 1.00 - 1.65; p= .05) and 52%more likely to die (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.26; p= .03) compared with those who scored in the highest quartile. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that level of satisfaction with support given to family or friends or the community is associated with future health of the older person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]