Age, social support and health among older Kuwaitis

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report data on social support elements and health status differences across three age groups of Kuwaiti elderly.

Design/methodology/approach

Examined for this study were 1,427 adults. Social support elements considered include total social support scale, frequency of contact (FOC) with relatives and friends, strength of these contacts, religiosity, number of children and number of children living with the elderly. This study evaluates health status in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose levels and self-reported somatic symptoms, satisfaction with current health and health over the last year.

Findings

The data show that there are important social support elements in all of the age groups. Social support, FOC, strength of relationships, number of children living with the elderly and religiosity are shown to influence the health and well-being of elders. Social support elements are shown to be higher in the oldest age group.

Originality/value

Elderly studies in Kuwait are rare. This is one of first studies done in Kuwait which show that there are differences in social support, FOC and strength of relation among all of the age groups.

Citation

Y. Al-Kandari, Y. and E. Crews, D. (2014), "Age, social support and health among older Kuwaitis", Quality in Ageing and Older Adults, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/QAOA-10-2013-0031