Psychological Distress and Social Functioning in Elderly Spanish People: A Gender Analysis

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2019-01, Vol.16 (3), p.341
• Main Authors: Matud, M Pilar, García, M Concepción
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged - psychology; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Arthritis; Cardiovascular diseases; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes mellitus; Emotions; Female; Geriatrics; Health risks; Humans; Life expectancy; Life span; Lung diseases; Male; Mental disorders; Mental health; Neurological diseases; Obstructive lung disease; Older people; Public health; Quality of life; Security; Self Concept; Self esteem; Sex Characteristics; Social Behavior; Social Support; Socioeconomic factors; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires; Womens health
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030341

Psychological distress has been considered a key component in the psychosocial functioning and functional disability of the elderly, but the determining factors of social functioning and psychological distress in the elderly people are not yet fully known. The aim of this study is to perform a gender analysis of the relevance of psychological distress and psychosocial factors in the social functioning of the elderly. A cross-sectional study with a sample of 589 men and 684 women from the general Spanish population aged between 65 and 94 years was conducted. All participants were evaluated through questionnaires and scales that assess psychological distress, social functioning, stress, coping styles, self-esteem and social support. Results: Women scored higher than men in psychological distress, chronic stress, emotional coping and instrumental social support, whereas men scored higher than women in self-esteem and rational coping. Psychological distress was significantly associated in women and men with worse social functioning, which was also lower in older people and in women with lower self-esteem. Psychological distress has a considerable impact on the social functioning of the elderly, and gender is a relevant factor in the psychological distress experienced and its predictors.