Multidimensional vulnerability among older adults in Germany: Social support buffers the negative association with life satisfaction

Background Multidimensional vulnerability among older adults, characterized by low levels of individual resources in different life domains, has been insufficiently studied. This phenomenon is considered to be associated with a marked decrease in overall life satisfaction. Social support is supposed to buffer the negative effect of multidimensional vulnerability on life satisfaction. Methods Analyses are based on the German Health Update dataset (GEDA 2014/2015-EHIS). The analytic sample includes respondents ≥ 65 years ( N = 5826). Confirmatory factor analyses were performed to construct a latent variable from the indicators income poverty, activities of daily living (ADL) limitations, multimorbidity, mental problems, and living alone. Multivariate linear regression models estimate the relationship between vulnerability and life satisfaction with a special focus on the interaction between vulnerability and social support. Results The analyses supports the multidimensional construct of vulnerability. Social support considerably moderates the negative relationship between vulnerability and life satisfaction. As the degree of vulnerability increases, the influence of social support becomes more pronounced. Conclusion The assessment of vulnerability as a multidimensional construct helps to depict the life situation of older people in a more differentiated way. Vulnerable older adults with a small or unreliable social network while finding it difficult to access practical help need additional external social support to achieve a high level of life satisfaction.