@article{ref1,
title="Social predictors of recovery in late middle-aged and older persons after injury to the extremities: a prospective study",
journal="Journals of gerontology. Series B: psychological sciences and social sciences",
year="2001",
author="Kempen, Gertrudis I. J. M. and Scaf-Klomp, Winnie and Ranchor, Adelita V. and Sanderman, Robbert and Ormel, Johan",
volume="56",
number="4",
pages="S229-36",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: The impact of educational level and social support on short-term and long-term recovery of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living after injuries to the extremities was examined in a prospective study concerning late middle-aged and older persons. METHODS: Patients (N = 171) who had sustained fall-related injuries (hip fractures, other fractures, or sprains and dislocations) participated in the study. Disability scores were collected at baseline (before the injury) and 8 weeks, 5 months, and 12 months after the injury. The authors used analysis of variance to assess possible differences between 3 levels of education and social support with respect to changes in disability scores from baseline to the 3 follow-up measurements while adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Preinjury assessed educational level or social support did not play a role in short-term changes in disability. In the long term (5 and 12 months after the injury), recovery was significantly associated with social support: Those with higher levels of support had a better recovery. Although patients with high levels of education most closely approached their pre-event level of disability as well, differences did not reach statistical significance. Short-term changes in disability appeared to be determined by the severity of the injury. Social support began to influence recovery only when the impact of severity expired. DISCUSSION: Patients recovering from fall-related injuries who had reported high levels of social support before their injury had recovered better at 5 and 12 months. Encouragement and special attention given by health professionals to maintain social support may be beneficial for rehabilitation after fall-related injuries in older persons.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1079-5014",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}