The Study of the Association between Perceived Social Support and Social Health of the Elderly in Khorramabad City

Social support is one of the factors influencing social well-being and successful aging. This study was conducted to determine the association between social support and social well-being of elderly people in Khorramabad. In this descriptive-correlational study, 462 community dwelling elderly people living in Khorramabad were selected from health centers using multistage random sampling. Perceived social support and social well-being were assessed using standard questionnaire through a face-to-face interview. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 20, using descriptive and analytical statistics including Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient, chi-square and independent t-test. The findings showed that the older residents of the Khorramabad have relatively good social support and moderate social well-being. There was also a weak to moderate relationship between receiving social support of the family, friends and significant others with social well-being and its dimensions. But, there was no significant relationship between perceived social support and social solidarity. In addition, there was a significant relationship between age, education and living arrangements and some subscales of social support and social well-being. The findings of this study indicate the relationship between social support and social well-being of the elderly. Enhancing family relationships, providing social participation conditions for the elderly at the national and local level are among the strategies for strengthening the social health of the elderly.