Understanding the role of instrumental supports in changes in social participation in osteoarthritis

Healthy aging is variably defined but dominated by a disability focus, particularly in osteoarthritis (OA) research. This contrasts with findings that older individuals identify healthy aging more with social participation (SP) than with disability and disease. This proposal follows from our prior CLSA-based investigation of the relationship between OA and SP. We identified two SP indicators representing diversity and intensity in SP, and results suggest that instrumental supports (IS) limit the negative effects of activity limitations on SP. Specifically, IS-received limited the effects only for SP-Diversity, while IS-perceived limited the effects only for SP-Intensity. These were novel findings. As analyses were cross-sectional, the current objective is to investigate if changes in IS affect changes in SP in OA, considering several personal/environmental factors.