Age, Social Support and Health among Older Kuwaitis

Purpose Purpose: We report here data on social support elements and health status differences across three age groups of Kuwaiti elderly. Design/methodology/approach Method: Examined for this study were 1,427 adults. Social support elements considered include total social support scale, frequency of contact with relatives and friends, strength of these contacts, religiosity, number of children, and number of children living with the elderly. This study evaluates health status in terms of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose levels, and self-reported somatic symptoms, satisfaction with current health, and health over the last year. Findings Finding: The data show that there are important social support elements in all of the age groups. Social support, frequency of contact, strength of relationships, number of children living with the elderly, and religiosity are shown to influence the health and wellbeing of elders. Social support elements are shown to be higher in the oldest age group. Originality/value Elderly studies in Kuwait are rare. This is one of first studies done in Kuwait which show that there are differences in social support, frequency of contact, and strength of relation among all of the age groups.