Effect of Social Engagement on Self-rated Health Trajectory among Korean Older Adults

Abstract

Social engagement has been known to be associated with better health outcomes. However, previous research has examined the association using cross-sectional data; thus the causal relationship is unclear. The objective of this study was to examine whether social engagement predicted change in self-rated health using a nationally representative sample of Korean older adults. Using three waves of the Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging, growth curve modeling was performed to examine change of self-rated health over time among 4,250 older adults age 60 and older. Older adults reported significant decrease of self-rated health within 6 years. The study found a strong correlation between health and social engagement, but social engagement did not predict change in self-rated health. Results suggest good health status is important for social engagement but social engagement is not necessarily a leading factor to maintain better health outcomes.