DIRECT SOCIAL SUPPORT AND 19-YEAR MORTALITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi

Research addresses whether direct social support affects long-term mortality in older adults with type 2 diabetes and whether depressive symptoms modify this relationship. Participants came from the Health and Retirement Study’s 2003 Diabetes Study (n=1,139), with death ascertained through 2022. Direct social support was measured by an 8-item scale, and depressive symptoms by CESD-8. Cox proportional hazards models tested mortality associations and interactions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study questions and data source

Measures and analysis method

Key findings and implications

402 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1366 DIRECT SOCIAL SUPPORT AND 19-YEAR MORTALITY AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES Weidi Qin1, Emily Nicklett2, and Deven Murray2, 1. University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States, 2. The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States While existing research suggests that social support improves diabetes management and outcomes, the long-term impact on longevity remains unaddressed. To bridge this gap, the present study examines two questions: 1) Is direct social support associated with mortality among older adults with diabetes? 2) Is the interaction between social support and depressive symptoms associated with mortality? Older adults with type 2 diabetes were selected from the Health and Retirement Study’s 2003 Diabetes Study (n = 1,139). The year of death was ascertained by exit interview or spouse respondents through 2022. Direct social support was assessed with an 8-item scale indicating whether participants could count on their family or friends to help with diabetes management. Depressive symptoms were measured using CESD-8 . Cox proportional hazards models were performed to test the study aims. From 2003 to 2020, 75.43% of participants died. Compared to low social support, high social support was associated with 1.58 times higher hazards of death (p = 0.016) . The interaction between social support and depressive symptoms was significantly associated with mortality (hazard ratio = 2.39, p = 0.033) . Specifically, among older adults with diabetes who had low social support, those with no depressive symptoms had lower hazards of mortality compared to those with mild depressive symptoms. The findings suggest that high social support is related to higher hazards of mortality among older adults with type 2 diabetes. It is important for diabetes management plans to incorporate strategies for leveraging social support to prolong the life expectancy among older adults.

FAQs

What two main research questions does the study address?

Whether direct social support is associated with mortality among older adults with diabetes, and whether the interaction between social support and depressive symptoms is associated with mortality.

How was direct social support measured in the study?

Direct social support was assessed using an 8-item scale capturing whether participants could rely on family or friends for help with diabetes management.

What did the study find about social support and mortality over time?

Compared with low social support, high social support was associated with higher hazards of death, and the interaction between social support and depressive symptoms was also significantly associated with mortality.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi