Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

Little has been done to assess the effects of social support provided to the aging on the providers. This study assesses how the provision of social support to the aging affects the health and socioeconomic status of the providers in the US. A mixed study approach was used, which involved quantitative evaluation of a total of forty-three existing articles and an online survey study that involved 301 respondents (28% whites, 37% Blacks and 35% Latinos). The respondents were recruited from the general population. Validated questionnaires were used and the data were analyzed using ANOVA, regression, and correlation statistics. Logistic regression showed that mental health disorders were significantly reduced among the respondents involved in the provision of social support (F=1.344, P=0.022). The providers also reported enhanced relationship within their families. However, the provision of social support was shown to be associated with significant reduction in financial stability among the providers (p<0.001), which was observed to vary based on ethnic background. This study advocates for the adoption of social support as a means of enhancing the health of the providers. The study also calls for financial support for the social support providers.