Multimorbidity and Social Participation Is Moderated by Purpose in Life and Life Satisfaction.

TitleMultimorbidity and Social Participation Is Moderated by Purpose in Life and Life Satisfaction.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsLuster, JE, Ratz, D, Wei, MY
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Volume41
Issue2
Pagination560-570
ISSN Number1552-4523
KeywordsEpidemiology, health-related quality of life, Leisure, Successful aging
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association between multimorbidity and social participation and whether purpose in life and life satisfaction moderate this relationship.

METHODS: Participants were 12,825 Health and Retirement Study adults. We used multiple linear regression to examine the association between a cumulative-updated multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI) and social participation.

RESULTS: Among adults with average purpose in life or life satisfaction, MWI was associated with lower social participation. For those with above average purpose in life, each 1-point increase in MWI was associated with a 0.11-point (95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.07, 0.14]) better social participation score. Participants with above average life satisfaction experienced a 0.04-point (95% CI: [0.02, 0.07]) better social participation score with each 1-point increase in MWI.

DISCUSSION: Multimorbidity was associated with worse social participation, but this was reversed by above average purpose in life and life satisfaction. Interventions that improve well-being should be assessed to enhance social participation among older adults with any degree of multimorbidity.

DOI10.1177/07334648211027691
Citation Key11729
PubMed ID34225497