OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed at analyzing relationships between social participation and perceived social support in community-dwelling elderly, according to gender, age, educational level and socioeconomic level and place of residence. METHOD: 1,451 participants without cognitive deficit suggestive of dementia from randomized samples of four cities with contrasting socioeconomic levels were interviewed about their involvement in social, organizational, cultural, leisure and political advanced activities of daily living, perceived social support and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: 65.5% were women; 69.7% were 65-74 years old (M=72.2±5.4), and 52% had 1-4 years of schooling (M=4.23±3.8). The most performed advanced activities of daily living were church attendance, short trips and participation in social meetings; the most interrupted were paid work, long trips and participation in cultural events. Social participation was higher among women, the youngest, those with higher educational level and those who have lived in localities with higher socioeconomic conditions. Social participation was positive and significantly correlated with perceived social support and educational level, and was negatively correlated with age. CONCLUSION: The continuity of social, cultural, leisure, organizational and political advanced activities of daily living indicates motivation for social relationships, social integration and productivity, key elements that integrate the concept of successful aging.
Social Involvement; Social Support; Ageg; Fibra Study; Case Studies
