The impact of structural and functional characteristics of social relations as determinants of functional decline.

Objectives: This study examines whether aspects of social relations at baseline are related to functional decline at 5-year follow-up among nondisabled old men and women.

Methods: The investigation is based on baseline and follow-up data on 651 nondisabled 75-year-old persons in Jyväskylä (Finland) and Glostrup (Denmark). The analyses are performed separately for men and women. Possible selection problems were considered by using three outcome measures: first, functional decline among the survivors (n = 425); second, functional decline, including death, assuming that death is part of a general decline pattern (n = 565); and third, mortality (n = 651). Social relations were measured at baseline by several items focusing on the structure and function of the social network.

Results: In men, no weekly telephone contact was related to functional decline and mortality. Among women, less than weekly telephone contact, no membership in a retirement club, and not sewing for others were significantly related to functional decline and mortality. The associations were stronger when the dead were included in the outcome measure.

Discussion: The results point to the importance of social relations in the prevention of functional decline in older adults.