Social Support and the Use of Life Spaces by Older Adults in the Rural Context

Abstract

Introduction: The use of life spaces is gaining research interest regarding aging, as it is a measure of mobility and social participation, insofar it reflects physical, psychosocial and environmental factors necessary for independent functioning. Objective: To identify the factors associated with social support and the use of life spaces in the rural context. Methods: Descriptive study carried out with 193 adults aged over 60 years, from the Samaniego Municipality, Nariño Department. The behavior of the use of life spaces and its relationship with demographic, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial variables were described using linear and logistic regression models. Results: The LSA scale presented a mean of 21.68 (SD=18.6). A correlation was observed with the variable age (Rho=-0.15, P=0.042) and gender (d=-0.05, CI 95%: -0.35 to 0.23). There was a directly proportional but low relationship with the Minimental test (Rho=0.04, P=0.580) and Yesavage (Rho=-0.13, P=0.064). With the social support scale, there were low correlations in emotional support (Rho=0.19, P=0.009), instrumental support (Rho=0.13, P=0.062), positive social interaction (Rho=0.23, P=0.001), and affective support (Rho=0.16, P=0.027). Conclusion: The psychosocial and demographic characteristics influenced on how rural older adults make use of their life spaces. © 2021, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.