Gender Differences in the Relationship Between Social Support and Strain and Mortality Among a National Sample of Adults

Overview

Journal J Behav Med

Specialty Social Sciences

Date 2021 Apr 22

PMID 33886063

Citations 6

Authors

Anna Uhing

Joni S Williams

Emma Garacci

Leonard E Egede

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We assessed gender differences in the relationship between mortality and social support, strain, and affectual solidarity received from family, friends and spouses. Data of 6259 adults from the Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) survey were analyzed. Cox proportional hazards were used to assess relationships between mortality and support, strain, and affectual solidarity and whether the associations varied by gender. Support from family, friends, and spouses/partners and friend affectual solidarity were associated with lower mortality in the total sample. Friend strain was associated with higher mortality in the total sample. Family support and family, friend, and spouse affectual solidarity were associated with lower mortality in women. Friend and spouse strain were associated with a higher mortality for women. Support from friends, family and spouse are beneficial for reducing mortality in men and women. Friend and spouse strain are targets for minimizing mortality risk in women.

Citing Articles

Perceived Health Needs, Social Support, and Depression Among Patients with Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Alshammari B, Alrshedy F, Alrasheeday A, Alkubati S, Tlili M, Aouicha W Healthcare (Basel). 2025; 12(24).

PMID: 39765997 PMC: 11727848. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12242570.

The psychological burden associated with metabolic syndrome: Evidence from UK and US older adults.

Robinson E, Daly M, Putra I Obes Sci Pract. 2024; 10(4):e780.

PMID: 38974477 PMC: 11227276. DOI: 10.1002/osp4.780.

The protective effect of social support on all-cause and cardio-cerebrovascular mortality among middle-aged and older adults in the US.

Wang Y, Wang J, Zhou H, Li W, Liao Y, Xu M Sci Rep. 2024; 14(1):4758.

PMID: 38413678 PMC: 10899207. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55012-w.

Social connection and mortality in UK Biobank: a prospective cohort analysis.

Foster H, Gill J, Mair F, Celis-Morales C, Jani B, Nicholl B BMC Med. 2023; 21(1):384.

PMID: 37946218 PMC: 10637015. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03055-7.

Unpacking Psychological Vulnerabilities in Deaths of Despair.

Song J, Kang S, Ryff C Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023; 20(15).

PMID: 37569020 PMC: 10418686. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156480.

References

Wilkins K . Social support and mortality in seniors. Health Rep. 2003; 14(3):21-34. View

Newsom J, Mahan T, Rook K, Krause N . Stable negative social exchanges and health. Health Psychol. 2008; 27(1):78-86. DOI: 10.1037/0278-6133.27.1.78. View

Cohen S, Schwartz J, Bromet E, Parkinson D . Mental health, stress, and poor health behaviors in two community samples. Prev Med. 1991; 20(2):306-15. DOI: 10.1016/0091-7435(91)90029-4. View

Strom J, Egede L . The impact of social support on outcomes in adult patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. Curr Diab Rep. 2012; 12(6):769-81. PMC: 3490012. DOI: 10.1007/s11892-012-0317-0. View

Friedman E, Karlamangla A, Almeida D, Seeman T . Social strain and cortisol regulation in midlife in the US. Soc Sci Med. 2012; 74(4):607-15. PMC: 3605735. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2011.11.003. View

Yang Y, Schorpp K, Harris K . Social support, social strain and inflammation: evidence from a national longitudinal study of U.S. adults. Soc Sci Med. 2014; 107:124-35. PMC: 4028709. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.02.013. View

House J, Robbins C, Metzner H . The association of social relationships and activities with mortality: prospective evidence from the Tecumseh Community Health Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1982; 116(1):123-40. DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a113387. View

Umberson D, Williams K, Powers D, Liu H, Needham B . You make me sick: marital quality and health over the life course. J Health Soc Behav. 2006; 47(1):1-16. PMC: 3149975. DOI: 10.1177/002214650604700101. View

Reblin M, Uchino B . Social and emotional support and its implication for health. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2008; 21(2):201-5. PMC: 2729718. DOI: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e3282f3ad89. View

10.

Holt-Lunstad J, Smith T, Layton J . Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med. 2010; 7(7):e1000316. PMC: 2910600. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000316. View

11.

Krause N, Rook K . Negative interaction in late life: issues in the stability and generalizability of conflict across relationships. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2003; 58(2):P88-99. PMC: 3833830. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/58.2.p88. View

12.

Kumari M, Shipley M, Stafford M, Kivimaki M . Association of diurnal patterns in salivary cortisol with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: findings from the Whitehall II study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011; 96(5):1478-85. PMC: 3085201. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-2137. View

13.

Becofsky K, Shook R, Sui X, Wilcox S, Lavie C, Blair S . Influence of the Source of Social Support and Size of Social Network on All-Cause Mortality. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015; 90(7):895-902. PMC: 4492806. DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.04.007. View

14.

Lowenstein A . Solidarity-conflict and ambivalence: testing two conceptual frameworks and their impact on quality of life for older family members. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2007; 62(2):S100-7. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/62.2.s100. View

15.

Abercrombie H, Giese-Davis J, Sephton S, Epel E, Turner-Cobb J, Spiegel D . Flattened cortisol rhythms in metastatic breast cancer patients. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2004; 29(8):1082-92. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2003.11.003. View