Social support and functional dependency in older adults from six Seventh-day Adventist churches

Abstract

The objective of this article is to determine the relationship between social support and functional dependence in older adults. The study has a quantitative approach, non-experimental design, correlational and cross-sectional type. The selection sample was made through non-probabilistic sampling for convenience, it was made up of 150 older adults. Two instruments were used for data collection, the MOS social support questionnaire adapted by Cruz (2009) with a reliability test of 0.97 and the Lawton and Brady scale, adapted by Meza (2016). It was found that 38.7% have a low level of social support and 30.7% have a medium and high level, on the other hand, in the analysis of each dimension, they presented a low level in emotional support (43.3 %), instrumental support (46.7%), in social interaction (53.3%) between high and medium, emotional support (38.8%) high. 46.7% with moderate dependence, 44% are functionally independent, 4.7% between total dependence and severe dependence. In conclusion: there is a significant relationship between both variables.