Systemic inflammatory markers and sources of social support among older adults in the Memory Research Unit cohort

• Published in: Journal of health psychology Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 397 - 406
• Main Authors: McHugh Power, Joanna, Carney, Sile, Hannigan, Caoimhe, Brennan, Sabina, Wolfe, Hannah, Lynch, Marina, Kee, Frank, Lawlor, Brian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.03.2019; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging - immunology; Body Mass Index; Chemokines - blood; Cognitive functioning; Cohort Studies; Female; Friendship; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - epidemiology; Male; Middle Aged; Older people; Personal Satisfaction; Protective Factors; Psychosocial factors; Psychosocial well being; Signal transduction; Social Support; protective factors; health psychology; age; quantitative methods
• ISSN: 1359-1053; 1461-7277
• DOI: 10.1177/1359105316676331

Potential associations between systemic inflammation and social support received by a sample of 120 older adults were examined here. Inflammatory markers, cognitive function, social support and psychosocial wellbeing were evaluated. A structural equation modelling approach was used to analyse the data. The model was a good fit χ 108 2 = 256 . 13 , p < 0.001; comparative fit index = 0.973; Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.962; root mean square error of approximation = 0.021; standardised root mean-square residual = 0.074). Chemokine levels were associated with increased age (β = 0.276), receipt of less social support from friends (β = −0.256) and body mass index (β = −0.256). Results are discussed in relation to social signal transduction theory.