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Social Support Effect on Health of Older People in Vietnam: Evidence from a National Aging Survey

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Abstract

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.

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Funding

To complete this study, the authors would like to thank the National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) for providing a research grant (No.502.99–2018.305).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Economics, Suite 1510, Building A1, National Economics University (NEU), Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Long Thanh Giang

  2. Menzies Institute of Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

    Long Thanh Giang

  3. Institute of Social and Medical Studies (ISMS), Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nam Truong Nguyen & Trang Thi Nguyen

  4. Journal of Economics and Development, Suite 1406, Building A1, National Economics University (NEU), Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Hoi Quoc Le

  5. University of Economics, The University of Da Nang, City, Da Nang, Vietnam

    Ngoc Thuy Thi Tran

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  1. Long Thanh Giang
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  2. Nam Truong Nguyen
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  3. Trang Thi Nguyen
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  4. Hoi Quoc Le
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  5. Ngoc Thuy Thi Tran
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Correspondence to Long Thanh Giang.

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Giang, L.T., Nguyen, N.T., Nguyen, T.T. et al. Social Support Effect on Health of Older People in Vietnam: Evidence from a National Aging Survey. Ageing Int 45, 344–360 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-020-09370-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-020-09370-1

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