Social Support and Quality of Life Among Older People in Spain

Abstract

Social support is a key concept in social gerontology; there is empirical evidence of its relationships with health, well–being and quality of life in old age. The density of an individual’s social relationships, the degree to which he/she interacts with others and how much he/she receives and gives affect, instrumental support, and/or services are all associated with health indicators, subjective well–being, and quality of life measures. This article deals with social support in old age in Spain, its relationships with health indicators, and its role in quality of life. Several descriptive studies dealing with social integration, frequency of social interactions, satisfaction with social relationships, and formal and informal social support are reviewed. Finally, the role attributed by elders to social relationships is an important conditioning factor of quality of life.