Social support effect on health of older people in Vietnam: evidence from a National Aging Survey

This study examined the relationship between social support and activities of daily living (ADL) limitations among older men and women in Vietnam. We applied bivariate analysis to explore the dependent variable and all social support variables, and then logistic regression models for older men and women to examine the relationship between social support and their ADL limitations. Data were from the nationally representative Vietnam Aging Survey (VNAS) in 2011. We found that social support was associated with ADL limitations, but different impacts were observed between older men and women. In particular, living arrangements, emotional support, financial support, and social connection presented consistent association with ADL limitations for both older men and women. From such findings, we argued that, in making policies for older people, the government should pay more attention to supporting living-alone people, encouraging familial and community connections, and reforming health and long-term care systems.