Sex differences in social support perceived by polymedicated older adults with multimorbidity. MULTIPAP study

PLoS One. 2022 Jul 27;17(7):e0268218. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268218. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

The beneficial effects of social support on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life are well known. Using the baseline data of the MULTIPAP study (n = 593), an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out that analyzed the sex differences in the social support perceived by polymedicated adults aged 65 to 74 years with multimorbidity. The main outcome variable was social support measured through the Duke-UNC-11 Functional Social Support (DUFSS) questionnaire in its two dimensions (confident support and affective support). For both sexes, the perception of functional social support was correlated with being married or partnered and having a higher health-related quality of life utility index. In women, it was correlated with a higher level of education, living alone, and treatment adherence, and in men with higher monthly income, prescribed drugs and fewer diagnosed diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multimorbidity*
  • Quality of Life* / psychology
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Social Support

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) [grant references PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996, PI18/01812, PI18/01303, PI18/01515, RD16/0001/0004, RD16/0001/0005, RD16/0001/0006] and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund “A way to shape Europe; Research, Development and Innovation National Plan 2013-2016”. CMLH has received a grant from the Fundación para la Investigación e Innovación Biosanitaria de Atención Primaria (FIIBAP) for translation. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.