Age, social ties and health behaviors: an exploratory study

This investigation explores the conditions under which socialsupport or social ties are related to health behaviors. Specifically,the types of health behaviors related to social ties are examined;the degree to which these relationships vary across age andsex groups is assessed; and possible moderating variables areidentified. The study population included 2603 adults, who wererandomly selected from among the members of a large health maintenanceorganization. Medical record data covering seven years of outpatientservices were linked with survey data on the respondents. Thefindings show that people who have more social ties engage ina greater number of health promoting and preventive behaviorsand fewer risk-taking behaviors. This link is strongest amongolder people. The results also indicate that social ties arerelated to fewer risk-taking behaviors only when the behaviorappears to be health salient. The findings are interpreted ina life stage context.