The Relationship between Perceived Social Support and Social

During recent years the rapid increase in the senior population, their disabilities, reduced independence, and increased dependence have drawn more attention toward issues related to social support in this group. Social support impacts different dimensions of health of the senior population. Meanwhile, one of the important aspects of health which is less considered in this group is social well-being. Social well-being is described as the degree of functioning, adjusting, and adapting to social aspects of life. This study aimed to determine the association between perceived social support and social health among Isfahan’s elderly population. This descriptive–analytical, cross sectional study was conducted among 230 elderly people aged 60 and over. The study subjects were chosen from urban elderly people by simple randomized sampling. Data were gathered by a questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics, multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MPSS) and Keyes’s scale of social health. Finally, the final score of these scales was reported in three categories including good, moderate and poor (Scores were in the range of 0 to 100). Data were analyzed using correlation statistics, ANOVA and independent t-test. Findings showed that 70.09% of participants were male. Their average age was 67/46± 7/1. The mean score of perceived social support and social health were 71/16 ± 28/8 and 50/98 ± 18/3 respectively. A significant correlation was found between perceived social support and social health (P < 0.01). Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between subscales of perceived social support and social health, and demographic characteristics (P < 0.01). According to the impact of perceived social support on elderly people’s social well-being and the importance of this dimension of health; It is essential to consider this issue among older people as a vulnerable group.