This study is the first to explore the connections between SI and lung function. Results indicate that greater numbers of social roles are associated with higher levels of lung function (Figure 2), and that plausible pathways connecting the variables include physical activity, not smoking, and greater happiness. Social Roles and Lung Function When examining individual roles, we found that marriage was the strongest predictor of lung function. This is consistent with research showing that married people have lower levels of morbidity and mortality (Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001). Marriage confers many benefits, including increased levels of socioeconomic status via dual incomes, which can lead to increased access to health care and decreased medical costs. Spouses may also be constant monitors of their partner’s behavior and provide encouragement in health and well-being goals (Tucker & Anders, 2001; Umberson, 1992). Finally, the presence of an intimate and close relationship that is consistently available may provide stability that leads to better well-being and to social support in the face of adversity (Cohen & Wills, 1985). We then asked whether the association of number of social roles with PEFR was attributable to the individual role of marriage. Although marriage is associated with employment and parenthood, it is also associated with not belonging to clubs or being a friend. When marriage is removed from the calculation of number of social roles, number of roles still predicts lung function, and does so independently of marriage. Overall, these data indicate that marriage does not account for the association of SI and lung function, but merely contributes to it. We also addressed what other roles contributed to the relation between SI and lung function. There were individual associations of marriage, friends and relatives, with increased lung functioning indicating benefits of having these roles. This is consistent with the findings
This study is the first to explore the connections between SI and lung function. Results indicate that greater numbers of social roles are associated with higher levels of lung function (Figure 2), and that plausible pathways connecting the variables include physical activity, not smoking, and greater happiness. Social Roles and Lung Function When examining individual roles, we found that marriage was the strongest predictor of lung function. This is consistent with research showing that married people have lower levels of morbidity and mortality (Kiecolt-Glaser & Newton, 2001). Marriage confers many benefits, including increased levels of socioeconomic status via dual incomes, which can lead to increased access to health care and decreased medical costs. Spouses may also be constant monitors of their partner’s behavior and provide encouragement in health and well-being goals (Tucker & Anders, 2001; Umberson, 1992). Finally, the presence of an intimate and close relationship that is consistently available may provide stability that leads to better well-being and to social support in the face of adversity (Cohen & Wills, 1985). We then asked whether the association of number of social roles with PEFR was attributable to the individual role of marriage. Although marriage is associated with employment and parenthood, it is also associated with not belonging to clubs or being a friend. When marriage is removed from the calculation of number of social roles, number of roles still predicts lung function, and does so independently of marriage. Overall, these data indicate that marriage does not account for the association of SI and lung function, but merely contributes to it. We also addressed what other roles contributed to the relation between SI and lung function. There were individual associations of marriage, friends and relatives, with increased lung functioning indicating benefits of having these roles. This is consistent with the findings
Crittenden_2014_HP.docx