Family Relationships in Older Adulthood: affectivity and health

Abstract

We investigate the association between the elderly’s perception of low affectivity in family relationships with the age group, gender and physical and psychological health conditions. Participated 134 elderly people from Bahia-Brazil and the data were collected at home, using the following instruments: Sociodemographic Information Questionnaire; Questionnaire on diseases and self-reported signs and symptoms; Index of Independence in Daily Life Activities; Performing instrumental activities of daily living; Geriatric Depression Scale; Beck's Anxiety Inventory and Familiogram. The chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis using the Stepwise criteria of variable selection (p < 0.05) was used. The results showed a higher frequency of younger individuals (aged between 60 and 74 years) and elderly individuals with dependence on basic daily life activities with a perception of low affectivity. The elderly with the highest risk of low affectivity reporting were: younger individuals (14.0 times higher risk) and those with dependence on instrumental activities of daily living (risk 4.3 times higher). This study showed that the age group and functional capacity were presented as risk factors for the perception of low affectivity, witch can affect the quality of family relationships.