2016 aarp social engagement and brain health survey report was prepared by laura mehegan, chuck...

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

2016 AARP Social Engagement and Brain Health Survey

Laura Mehegan, Chuck Rainville, and Laura Skufca AARP Research February 2017 https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00149.001

https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00149.001

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2

About AARP AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million that helps people turn their goals and dreams into “Real Possibilities” by changing the way America defines aging. With staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and promote the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare security, financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also advocates for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the world’s largest circulation magazine, AARP The Magazine, and AARP Bulletin. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @aarp on Twitter.

The views expressed herein are for information, debate, and discussion, and do not necessarily represent official policies of AARP.

Acknowledgments GfK conducted this survey for AARP using its nationally representative online panel, Knowledge Panel. This report was prepared by Laura Mehegan, Chuck Rainville & Laura Skufca in AARP Research. For additional information about the survey, contact Laura Mehegan at [email protected]. Media inquiries should be directed to Greg Phillips at [email protected].

http://www.aarp.org/

mailto:[email protected]

AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED AARP RESEARCH | AARP.ORG/RESEARCH | © 2016 AARP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Objectives • To characterize social engagement, isolation and

loneliness, and social network size among 40+ adults.

• To understand factors that influence social

engagement, isolation, and loneliness. • To examine the relationship between social

engagement, isolation, and loneliness and brain health, physical health, and mental well-being.

3


Methodology • An online survey fielded December 8 – December 26, 2016 among a

nationally representative sample of 2,585 Americans age 40+. • Additional interviews were conducted to achieve the following samples:

– 512 Hispanic/Latinos age 40+ (conducted in both English and Spanish)

– 505 African Americans age 40+ – 353 Asian Americans age 40+.

• The data were weighted by age, gender, race, ethnicity, employment status and income.

• All estimates are for the general 40+ US population unless otherwise noted.

• The margin of error for the national sample of 2,585 adults age 40+ is +/- 2.7%. The margin of error among subgroups (e.g., age cohorts) is higher.

• Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding.

4


Key Findings Social Engagement Typology • Based on social network size, social group involvement, and satisfaction with social connectedness, four social

types emerged to characterize 40+ adults: The Highly-Connected, the People-People, the Givers, and the Socially-Disconnected.

• One in five 40+ adults are “Socially-Disconnected.” They have small social networks, a low-level of social group involvement, are dissatisfied with their social connectedness, and have below-average mental well-being scores. This group is most in need of suggestions on how to improve their level of engagement.

Social Network Size • The average social network size among 40+ adults is 19 family members and friends. Women tend to have

larger networks overall and those age 60+ tend to have more friends. 40+ adults with larger social networks rate their brain health higher.

• Two major life events affect social network sizes among the older age cohorts. As people retire, overall network size increases through the addition of new friends to the network. As family networks contract (often with the loss of spouse/partners), social networks return to their pre-retirement size. These life events do not negatively affect well-being or reported satisfaction with relationships.

• Most 40+ adults, particularly those older than age 60, are happy with their relationships. Loneliness and Isolation • Many 40+ adults say they sometimes or often lack companionship (37%), find it hard to engage socially (35%),

and feel isolated from others (29%). This is particularly true for adults without a spouse/partner and for those aged 50-59. In fact, adults who experience loneliness and isolation have significantly smaller social networks and lower mental well-being scores.

5


Key Findings (continued)

6

• Those who rarely lack companionship, have difficultly engaging socially, or feel isolated from others are more likely to self-report their overall health and brain health as excellent/very good.

• More than half of 40+ adults own a pet. While most pet-owners say their pet offers them companionship, dog owners feel more strongly about this than cat owners. More women than men say they would be lonely without their pet.

Social Engagement • Adults who are dissatisfied with their level of social engagement are significantly more likely to

report a decrease in their cognitive functioning in the previous five years. • When asked how easy or difficult their communities make it for them to be socially engaged, most

40+ adults said their communities make it easy. However, adults who say their communities make it very difficult have significantly smaller social networks compared to those whose communities make it very easy.

• Adults say their social relationships encourage them to try new things and take better care of their health. Significantly more African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos say this is true to a great extent.

• African Americans/Blacks are more likely to attend religious services and to engage in spiritual and religious group activities compared to the general population. They are also much more likely to engage in prayer multiple times per day outside of religious services.

• Having a purpose in life is important to nearly all 40+ adults. Those who consider this to be important have larger social networks and higher average mental well-being scores compared to those who think it is unimportant.


Social Engagement Typology

7

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Social Engagement Typology= Size of social network, level of social group involvement, and satisfaction with level of social connectedness.

The Highly-Connected • 28% of population • Median age=61 • Avg. MWB=53.7

The People-People • 31% of population • Median age=58 • Avg. MWB=52.9

The Givers • 22% of population • Median age=56 • Avg. MWB=47.1

The Socially-Disconnected • 19% of population • Median age=56 • Avg. MWB=45.8

• Large network • High social group

involvement • High satisfaction with

connectedness

• Large network • Low social group

involvement • High satisfaction with

connectedness

• Small network • High social group

involvement (as a way to serve, not socialize)

• Low to medium satisfaction with connectedness

• Small network • Low social group

involvement • Low satisfaction with

connectedness

Four types of socially engaged 40+ adults were characterized in the population. The “Highly-Connected” and “People-People” have the highest median age and the highest average mental well-being (MWB) scores and comprise nearly six in 10 (59%) of all 40+ adults.* One in five (19%) 40+ adults are “Socially-Disconnected” representing an opportunity for intervention.

*Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) © NHS Health Scotland, University of Warwick and University of Edinburgh, 2006, all rights reserved. This scale is based on 14-items each measured on a 5-point scale. Total scores range from 14 to 70. The average, overall mental well-being score is 50.5.


25% 32%

53%

39%

30%

19%

42%

56% 57%

32% 26%

30%

57%

36%

28% 27% 34%

48% 41%

33% 32%

17%

45%

13%

29%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

% Earning <$35K % College % Female % Regular worship % Non-white

Percent with select characteristics by social engagement typology

Gen Pop Highly-Connected People-People Givers Socially-Disconnected

9

The “Highly-Connected” are the most likely to be high-income earners, college graduates, regular worshipers, and racially/ethnically diverse. The “Socially-Disconnected” have the opposite characteristics.


3.80

3.33

1.08

3.96

3.52

1.22

3.95

3.48

0.87

3.60

3.14

1.18

3.54

3.05

1.08

0.00

0.50

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

Self-rated brain health* Self-rated overall health* Number of stressors**

Average self-rated brain health, self-rated overall health and number of stressors by social engagement typology

Gen Pop Highly-Connected People-People Givers Socially-Disconnected

10

The “Highly-Connected” and the “People-People” rate their brain health and overall health higher. Interestingly, the “Highly-Connected” experience above-average life stressors and “People-People” experience below-average life stressors.

*Scale 1 to 5, with 5 being “excellent” brain health and overall health. **From a checklist of 9 potential life event stressors.


Social Network

11


Adults age 40+ average 19 people in their social network. Women tend to have larger social networks than men. A major life transition- retirement (generally observed after age 60)- tends to expand social networks through the addition of new friendships. Often with the loss of a spouse/partner (generally observed after age 74), networks return to their original average size (19 people). No decrease in well-being or satisfaction with relationships are found in later life.

12

Overall, the social network* of 40+ adults consists of an average of 19 people including: • 8 friends • 11 family members • 73% have a spouse/partner

Men’s average network size in 17 people—7 friends, 10 family members

Women’s average network size is 21 people—8 friends, 12 family members

Adults age 50-59: • Network=19 • Friends=7 • Family=11

Adults age 40-49: • Network=19 • Friends=7 • Family=11

Adults age 60+: • Network=20 • Friends=9 • Family=10

*Network includes: Friends, family, spouse, and ex-spouse/ex-partner. Adding friends and family may not be equal to total network.


40+ adults are close to people they interact with on a regular basis, such as their religious leader and their neighbor. In previous generations, adults may have been close to people like their mail carriers and barbers, but this is not the case today.

13

How close do you feel your relationship is with your…?

40+ adults are close to their: • Religious leader • Neighbor • Coworker • Supervisor • Healthcare provider

More 40+ adults are not close to their: • Mail carrier • Hair stylist/barber • Financial advisor

Very few of this type of person are in 40+ adults lives: • Counselor/therapist • Exercise leader/coach • Teacher • Mentor • Lawyer


Most 40+ adults are happy with their relationships. More of the 40+ are happy with their family relations (spouse/partners and family/relatives) than with their friends. That said, about two-thirds of the 40+ population are happy with their friend relationships.

5% 2% 2%

22% 34% 28%

73% 64% 70%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Spouse/partner Friend(s) Family members/relatives

How would you rate your relationship with your… Unhappy (1,2) Neutral (3,4,5) Happy (6,7)

-Taking all things together, how would you rate your relationship with your spouse/partner on a scale from 1 to 7 with 1 being very unhappy and 7 being very happy? -Overall, how would you rate your relationship with your friend(s) on a scale from 1 to 7 with 1 being very unhappy and 7 being very happy? -Overall, how would you rate your relationship with family members and relatives on a scale from 1 to 7 with 1 being very unhappy and 7 being very happy? 14

Average score=5.9

Average score=5.7

Average score=5.9


Adults age 60 and older tend to be happier with their relationships compared to adults aged 40 to 59.

70% 58%

66% 71%

58% 64%

78% 72% 76%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Spouse/partner Friend(s) Family members/relatives

Percent who say they are happy with their relationships, by age Age 40-49 Age 50-59 Age 60+

-Taking all things together, how would you rate your relationship with your spouse/partner on a scale from 1 to 7 with 1 being very unhappy and 7 being very happy? -Overall, how would you rate your relationship with your friend(s) on a scale from 1 to 7 with 1 being very unhappy and 7 being very happy? -Overall, how would you rate your relationship with family members and relatives on a scale from 1 to 7 with 1 being very unhappy and 7 being very happy? 15


40+ adults with larger social networks self-rate their brain health higher.

22 20

17

13 14

0

5

10

15

20

25

Excellent Very good Good Fair Poor

Tota

l num

ber i

n so

cial

net

wor

k

16

-Getting more specific, would you say that your brain health or mental sharpness is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?


Social Isolation and Loneliness

17


About three in 10 (29%) or more 40+ adults feel isolated, have difficulty engaging socially (35%), or lack companionship (37%) at least some of the time. Adults age 50-59 are more likely to feel this way as are adults without a spouse/partner.

34%

34%

34%

37%

31%

29%

24%

27%

27%

5%

8%

10%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Feel isolated from thepeople around you?

Feel it is hard for you toengage socially with

others?

Feel you lackcompanionship?

How often do you…. Never Hardly ever Some of the time Often

18

*Results not statistically significant. How often do you feel you lack companionship? How often, if at all, is it hard for you to engage socially with others? How often do you feel isolated from the people around you?

• Women (42%) vs. men (31%) • No spouse/partner (59%) vs. spouse/partner

(28%) • Age 50-59 (41%) vs. 40-49 (36%) and 60+

(34%)*

• No spouse/partner (43%) vs. spouse/partner (32%)

• Age 50-59 (44%) vs. 40-49 (35%) and 60+ (30%)

• No spouse/partner (39%) vs. spouse/partner (24%)

• Age 50-59 (34%) vs. 40-49 (28%) and 60+ (25%)

Percent some of the time/often:


Among those who say it is hard to engage with others, the most common reasons are: time, lack of desire to make social connections, and shyness.

3%

8%

8%

8%

10%

18%

21%

27%

32%

40%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Friends are deceased

Limited physical mobility

Friends have moved

Transportation

Fear of rejection

Money/finances

Lack of energy

Shyness

No desire to make social connections

Time

Reasons it is hard for some adults to engage with others

19

Which of the following are reasons why it is hard for you to engage socially with others? (Asked of respondents who did not say NEVER when asked “How often, if at all, is it hard for you to engage socially with others?” (N=1,017)


40+ adults who lack companionship, feel it is hard to engage socially and feel isolated have much smaller social networks.

20

Isolation/Loneliness Frequency Average Social Network Size (N)

Total* Friends Family

How often do you feel you lack companionship?

Never 22 8 12

Hardly ever 20 8 11

Some of the time 18 7 10

Often 14 5 8

How often is it hard for you to engage socially with others?

Never 22 9 12

Hardly ever 21 8 11


Often 14 4 9

How often do you feel isolated from the people around you?

Never 21 8 11

Hardly ever 21 8 11


Often 14 4 9 *Network includes: Friends, family, spouse, and ex-spouse/ex-partner. Adding friends and family may not be equal to total network.


Over half (56%) of 40+ adults have a pet but significantly fewer African Americans/Blacks (29%) and Asians (34%) have pets compared to the general population. Adults over 60 (49%) are less likely to have a pet than those age 40-49 (60%) or 50-59 (63%). More women (60%) than men (42%) agree they would be lonely without their pet.

21

-Do you have any pets? -What type of pet do you have? (dog, cat, other) - Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statement? (a) My pet offers me companionship. (b) Without the companionship of my pet, I would feel lonely.

Nearly one in 10 own a pet that includes something other than, or in addition to, a cat or a dog

63% 22%

29%

30%

28% 20%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

My pet offers me companionship I would feel lonely without my pet

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

More dog-only owners (70%) than cat-only owners (56%) strongly agree

More cat/dog owners (30%) than dog-only (21%) or cat-

only (19%) strongly agree


Social Engagement

22


A majority of 40+ adults share meals in the household, talk on the phone, and interact with their neighbors once a month or more. Adults 60+ are significantly more likely than adults 40-59 to have a phone conversation with friends/relatives and talk with their neighbors, emphasizing the importance of connecting by phone and the importance of neighbors as we age.

24%

32%

55%

71%

76%

90%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Socialize with current or formercoworkers

Do favors for neighbors

Socialize with friends, family, orneighbors

Talk to neighbors

Talk with friends, relatives on phoneor via video chat

Share a meal with members ofhousehold

Percent who participated in these activities once a month or more often, in the last 12 months

23

In the past 12 months, how often did you…? (a) Get together socially with friends, relatives, or neighbors. (b) Get together socially with current or former coworkers outside or work-related gatherings. (c) Share a meal with members of your household. (d) Talk to your neighbors. (e) Do favors for you neighbors. (f) Talk with your friends or relatives on the telephone or by video call.

Adults age 60+ are significantly more likely to talk on the phone or video chat monthly or more: • 40-49 – 73% • 50-59 – 72% • 60+ – 81% …And talk to their neighbors: • 40-49 – 65% • 50-59 – 68% • 60+ – 78%


Few 40+ adults dance in a group or sing in a choir but over eight in 10 who do, say it is socially engaging. Hispanics/Latinos compared to the gen pop (37% vs. 20%) are significantly more likely to dance in a group with others (at all) and meditate (30% vs. 17%).

16%

9% 8% 6%

4%

8% 8%

3%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

Dance in a group withothers

Meditate with a group ofpeople

Sing in a choir or othermusical group

Participate in yoga with agroup of people

In the last 12 months, how often did you…. Infrequently (Several times per year to less than once a year) Frequently (once a month or more)

24

-In the past 12 months, how often did you…? (b) Participate in yoga with a group of people. (c) Meditate with a group of people. (e) Sing in a choir or other musical group. (f) Dance in a group with others. -How socially-engaging do you find this activity? (Not at all, not very, somewhat, very)

54% said it was socially engaging





Religious and charitable organizations have the highest level of frequent participation. The majority feel their participation in various organizations is socially engaging.

25

Organization Type Frequency of Participation % saying their

participation is Socially Engaging Frequently Infrequently Never

Religious 23% 23% 52% 85%

Charitable 12% 33% 54% 80%

Social club 11% 10% 78% 80%

Service organization 10% 18% 70% 81%

Educational 9% 22% 67% 77%

Health-related 8% 19% 72% 65%

Sports club 7% 11% 82% 80%

Neighborhood association 6% 20% 73% 73%

Civic 6% 20% 72% 68%

Support group 5% 13% 81% 69%

Political 4% 15% 79% 67%

Environmental 4% 16% 79% 66%

Animal Welfare 3% 16% 80% 70%

Veterans Group 3% 10% 86% 69%


Most (74%) 40+ adults say their community makes it easy to be socially engaged, but those who say it is difficult have significantly smaller social networks; suggesting the importance of community design in social engagement.

26

-How easy or difficult does your community make it for you to be socially engaged?

25%

49%

21%

4% 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Very easy Somewhat easy Somewhatdifficult

Very difficult

74%

16 vs. 22 The social network size

for people who say their community makes it very

difficult for them to be socially engaged

compared to those who say it makes social

engagement very easy


Three in 10 40+ adults say their social engagement has increased in the last five years. Those who have seen an increase also have an above average social network size and mental well-being score. The one-quarter of adults who have seen a decrease, however, have below average networks and mental well-being scores.

27

-Has your level of social engagement increased, decreased, or stayed the same within the last five years?

Change in level of social engagement in last five years % Average size of

social network Average mental well-being score

Increased a lot 7% 28 55.7

Increased a little 23% 22 53.1

Stayed the same 44% 18 51.5

Decreased a little 16% 17 48.6

Decreased a lot 9% 15 41.0


Six in 10 or more 40+ adults say they are encouraged to learn new things and take better care of their health due to their social relationships. More African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos are encouraged “to a great extent” compared to the general population.

13% 20%

47% 45%

25% 20%

13% 14%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Learn new things Take better care of yourhealth

To what extent do your social relationships encourage you to…

To a great extent To some extent To a small extent To no extent at all

28

-To what extent do your social relationships encourage you to learn new things? -To what extent do your social relationships encourage you to take better care of your health?

African Americans/Blacks and Hispanics/Latinos are

significantly more likely than the general population to say their

social relationships encourage them “to a great extent” to learn new things (23% each

vs. 13%) and take better care of their health

(37%, 33% vs 20%).

60% 65%


Significantly more 40+ adults who are dissatisfied with their level of social engagement say their cognitive abilities have decreased in the last five years. Over half (52%) say their ability to remember things has decreased.

12%

16%

7%

18%

10%

33%

35%

37%

37%

41%

44%

52%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Ability to manage stress

Ability to focus

Sense of purpose in life

Ability to tolerateunpleasant situations

Life satisfaction

Ability to remember things

Dissatisfied Satisfied

29

-In the past five years, has the following increased, stayed the same, or decreased. Is that a little or a lot? -In general, how satisfied are you, if at all, with the degree to which you engage socially?

3%

5%

7%

10%

5%

13%

12%

19%

20%

24%

25%

30%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Wisdom

Decision making

Problem-solving

Ability to learn new things

Ability to relate to others

Ability to pay attention

Dissatisfied Satisfied

Percent who say cognitive characteristics have decreased in the last five years by satisfaction with level of social engagement


Two-thirds (66%) of 40+ adults say their social groups make them feel connected. Adults age 60+ (72%) are more likely to feel this way compared to those aged 40-49 (59%) and 50-59 (63%). The same is true for women compared to men (69% vs. 62%).

64%

9% 19%

28%

42%

47%

5%

35% 20%

3% 14% 13%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

There is a real differencebetween being alone and

being lonely

I feel more connected whenI'm with others than when

I'm on my own

The institutions I belong tomake me feel socially-

connected

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree

30

Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements: For me, there is a real difference between “being along” and “being lonely” For me, I feel more connected when I’m with other people than when I’m on my own For me, the institutions I belong to (e.g., groups, membership organizations, places of worship, etc.) make me feel socially-connected

92% 66%

51%


Most 40+ adults are satisfied with their social engagement and relationships. Unsurprisingly, adults who are more satisfied have significantly larger social networks. Adults 60+ are the most satisfied with their social engagement.

32% 36%

50% 50%

13% 10% 3% 4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

The degree to which youengage socially

The quality of your socialrelationships

In general, how satisfied are you with… Very satisfied Somewhat satisfiedNot very satisfied Not at all satisfied

31

-In general, how satisfied are you, if at all, with the degree to which you socially engage? -In general, how satisfied are you, if at all, with the quality of your social relationships?

Level of satisfaction

Social Network Size (N)

Degree of engagement

Quality of relationships

Very 23 24

Somewhat 18 18

Not very 15 14

Not at all 12 12

Adults 60+ are the most satisfied with the degree to which they socially engage: • 83% -- 40-49 • 78% -- 50-59 • 87% -- 60+

82% 86%


Social Isolation/Loneliness and Brain Health, Overall Health, and Mental Well-Being

32


40+ adults who generally feel a sense of companionship are more likely to rate their overall health and brain health as excellent/very good compared to adults who lack companionship.

75%

22%

3%

55%

31%

14%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Excellent/VeryGood

Good Fair/Poor

Self-rated brain health by frequency of lack of companionship

Never/Hardly Ever Some of the time/Often

33

-Would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? -Getting more specific, would you say that your brain health or mental sharpness is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? -How often do you feel that you lack companionship?

54%

35%

12%

31% 40%

29%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Excellent/VeryGood

Good Fair/Poor

Self-rated overall health by frequency of lack of companionship



76%

22%

3%

52%

33%

14%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Excellent/VeryGood

Good Fair/Poor

Self-rated brain health by frequency of difficulty engaging socially


34

52%

35%

13%

33% 39%

27%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Excellent/VeryGood

Good Fair/Poor

Self-rated overall health by frequency of difficulty engaging socially


-Would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? -Getting more specific, would you say that your brain health or mental sharpness is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? -How often, if at all, is it hard for you to engage socially with others?

40+ adults who find it relatively easy to engage socially with others are more likely to rate their overall health and brain health as excellent/very good than those who have difficulty engaging socially.


74%

22%

4%

51%

34%

15%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Excellent/VeryGood

Good Fair/Poor

Self-rated brain health by frequency of feeling isolated


35

51%

35%

14%

31% 40%

29%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Excellent/VeryGood

Good Fair/Poor

Self-rated overall health by frequency of feeling isolated


-Would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? -Getting more specific, would you say that your brain health or mental sharpness is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor? -How often do you feel isolated from the people around you?

40+ adults who feel relatively connected are more likely to rate their overall health and brain health as excellent/very good compared to adults who feel isolated.


55.1 55.0 55.8 51.8 51.3 51.0

47.3 46.8 45.6 42.2 43.9

37.2

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

Lack companionship Difficult to engage socially Feels isolated

Average Mental Well-Being Score by frequency of loneliness and isolation

Never Hardly ever Some of the time Often

36

--How often do you feel that you lack companionships? --How often, if at all, is it hard for you to engage socially with others? --How often do you feel isolated from the people around you?

40+ adults who lack companionship, have difficulty engaging socially, or feel isolated have significantly lower average mental well-being scores. It is especially noteworthy that adults who often feel isolated have the lowest score of all.


Spirituality, Religiosity, and Purpose

37


Many 40+ adults participate in religious or spiritual activities and they feel these activities are socially engaging. African Americans/Blacks are more likely than the general population to participate frequently in all of these activities. Adults age 60+ (45%) are more likely to attend religious services frequently compared to adults 40-49 (33%) and 50-59 (38%).

34%

69% 51%

26%

15% 23%

39% 16%

25%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Attend religious services Participate in spiritual, groupactivity

Participate in a religious groupactivity

In the last 12 months, how often did you…. Frequently (once a month or more) Infrequently (Several times per year to less than once a year) Never

38

In the last 12 months, how often did you…? (a) Attend religious services. (d) Participate in a spiritual, group activity. (g) Participate in a religious group activity.




AA/B=50% H/L=47%

AA/B=27% AA/B=38%


Most (86%) 40+ adults believe in a higher power and over one-quarter (27%) pray several times a day outside of religious services. Significantly more African Americans/Blacks (45%) pray multiple times a day.

21% 16%

7% 13%

16%

27%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Never On certainoccasions

Once aweek or

less

A fewtimes aweek

Once a day Severaltimes a

day

39

Do you believe in a higher power? • Yes (86%) • No (13%)

-About how often do you spend time praying outside of religious services? -Do you believe in a higher power?

African Americans/Blacks (45%) are much more likely to pray several times per day and Asians are less likely (15%)


Most 40+ adults feel that having a sense of purpose in life is important. For many people, their family and helping others give them a sense of purpose in their lives. The higher the level of perceived importance, the larger the social network size and the higher the mental well-being score.

40

60%

34%

4% 1% 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Veryimportant

Somewhatimportant

Somewhatunimportant

Veryunimportant

How important is having a sense of purpose in your life?

-For you, how important is having a sense of purpose in your life? -Please describe a few of the things, feelings, ideas, etc. that give you a sense of purpose in your life.

Family God Helping others

How important is having a sense of purpose in your life?

Average

Social Network Size

Mental Well-Being

Score

Very important 22 52.6

Somewhat important 16 48.7

Somewhat unimportant 15 44.1

Very unimportant 15 43.8


Social Media and Electronics Use

41


Nearly half (48%) of 40+ adults use Facebook at least once a day and four in 10 (39%) access social media from their cell phone at least daily. A large majority watch television and surf the internet every day. On a daily basis, very few use Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and video chat.

39%

48%

53%

61%

68%

71%

75%

86%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

A cell phone to access any socialmedia

Facebook

A cell phone to check email

Listen to the radio

A cell phone to text

Use email

Surf the internet

Watch television

Percent who engage at least once per day

42

How often do you…?

More women (76%) than men (68%)


More men (67%) than women (58%)



Significantly fewer 60+ adults compared to adults age 40-59 engage daily in activities related to social media, the internet and cell phones. However, more 60+ adults watch television daily.

80% 84%

74% 79%

67% 68%

56% 59%

85% 79%

76% 76% 69%

60%

51%

41%

92%

66% 69%

57% 54%

42% 43%

26%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Watchtelevision

Surf theinternet

Use email Use a cellphone to text

Listen to theradio

Use a cellphone to

check email

Facebook Use a cellphone to

access anysocial media

Percent who engage at least once per day, by age 40-49 50-59 60+

43

How often do you…?


By a wide margin, the most common reason 40+ adults use social media is to keep in touch with family and friends. Significantly more women than men use social media for this reason (86% vs. 77%) and for sharing photos/videos (55% vs. 39%).

1%

5%

7%

30%

48%

50%

54%

82%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Online dating

Looking for work

Meeting new people

Networking

Sharing photos/videos

Sharing/reading interesting content

Keeping current with news/current events

Keeping in touch with friends/family

44

-For which of the following reasons do you use social media?


40+ adults say that social media and cell phone use has not impacted their relationships yet one-third or more say it has done more good than harm.

7% 5%

49% 51%

32% 35%

10% 8%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Impact social media use on friends andfamily

Impact of cell phone use for texting,emailing, or social media on friends and

family

More harm than good Has not affected relationships More good than harm Not sure

45

-Would you say that your use of social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram has done more harm than good, more good than harm, or has not impacted your relationships at all with your friends and family members? -Would you say that your cell phone use for email, texting, and social media access has done more harm than good or more good than harm to your relationships with friends and family members?


Valentine’s Day

46


Over one-third (35%) of 40+ adults think Valentine’s day is a holiday for both men and women to enjoy but nearly three in 10 (28%) think it is a holiday created by corporate America.

5%

21%

25%

28%

35%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

It is just for kids

Nothing, it is a made up day

I enjoy it; I get quality time with my significant other

Holiday created by corporate America

Holiday is for both men and women to enjoy

47

-What does Valentine’s Day mean to you?


Over one-third of 40+ adults say they do not plan to do anything for Valentine’s Day and nearly the same amount expect to have a night out with their significant other. At least 4 in 10 (41%) expect to do something outside of their homes for Valentine’s Day.

9%

9%

10%

12%

15%

15%

23%

25%

32%

34%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

Dinner/night out with friends/family

Send email(s)

Stay home with friends/family

Buy chocolates

Buy flowers

Buy some other type of gift

Buy/send greeting card(s)

Stay home with significant other

Dinner/night out with significant other

Nothing

48

-Please indicate which of the following, if any, you might do to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2017?


One-third (34%) of 40+ adults say Valentine’s Day makes them feel happy and adults who feel happy about it have larger social networks.

49

-How would you say Valentine’s Day makes you feel?

Annoyed, 4%

Happy, 34%

Lonely, 5%

Don't think about it

much, 57%

Valentine’s Day makes me feel…

People who say Valentine’s Day makes them happy have larger social networks: • Happy – 23 • Don’t think about

it – 18 • Annoyed – 17 • Lonely -- 13

2016 aarp social engagement and brain health survey report was prepared by laura mehegan, chuck...

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