BACKGROUND

Existing studies in developed countries show that social participation has beneficial effects on the functional ability of older adults, but research on Chinese older people is limited. This study examined the effects of participating in different types of social activities on the onset of functional disability and the underlying behavioral and psychosocial mechanisms among older adults aged 65 and older in China.

METHODS

The 2005, 2008, and 2011 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Health Longevity Study were used. Life table analysis and discrete time hazard models were adopted to examine the relationship between social participation and functional disability. Social participation was defined as the frequencies of engaging in group leisure-time activities (i.e., playing cards/mahjong) and organized social activities, involving in informal social interactions (i.e., number of siblings frequently visited), and participating in paid jobs. Extensive social participation was measured by a composite index by adding up the four types of social activities that an older person was engaged in.

RESULTS

After controlling for the effect of socio-demographic characteristics, health status, and health behavioral factors, extensive social participation is associated with a significant reduced risk for the onset of functional disability (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.92, p < 0.001). Different types of social participation affect the risk of functional decline through different mechanisms. Frequent playing of cards/mahjong is a protective factor for functional decline (HR = 0.78, p < 0.001), and the relationship is partially mediated by cognitive ability and positive emotions (accounting for 18.9% and 7.0% of the association, respectively). Frequent participation in organized social activities is significantly related to a reduced risk of functional decline (HR = 0.78, p < 0.001), and the association is mediated by physical exercises and cognitive ability (accounting for 25.7% and 17.7% of the association, respectively). Frequent visits from siblings has a strong inverse relationship with functional decline (HR = 0.75, p < 0.001). However, no significant association between paid job and functional decline is observed.

CONCLUSION

Extensive social participation, regular engagement in group leisure-time activities, organized social activities, and informal social interactions in particular may have beneficial effects on the functional health of older adults through behavioral and psychosocial pathways. The findings shed light for the importance of promoting social participation among older adults.