Changes in Provision of Social Support among the Older Population in Nine European Countries during 2004—2015: A panel data analysis

Abstract Background : Providing support to others may be beneficial for older adults. As people age, their health and social relationships change. These changes may relate to change in social support provision as well. We examined the trajectory of social support provision by older people in three European regions throughout eleven years of follow-up. We then examined the extent to which age, gender, and region (represents welfare state regime) influenced the variations in the trajectory. Methods :Data collected from 8,354 respondents who had completed at least waves 1 and 6 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was analysed. Social support provision was determined from asking a single question regarding whether the respondent provided help personally for people outside their household. Region, sex, and age were the main predictors tested. We used growth model to address the aims of this study. Results :The northern European region (Sweden and Denmark) had the highest odds ratio of providing social support. The likelihood of social support provision decreases by 10% yearly (OR: 0.901, 95%CI: 0.878,0.925) over 11 years of follow-up. Older respondents were less likely to provide support and their trajectories declined faster the younger respondents. Gender difference in social support provision was more apparent among younger older people in the southern European region. Conclusions : European older adults are important source of support, especially for their family. The probability of social support provision by European older adults declines over time. Age, gender and welfare state regime predict this trajectory.