Motivation to Cultivate Social Ties and Diurnal Cortisol: Testing the Mediating Effect of Social Embeddedness in Chinese Older Adults

Based on a framework derived from theories of social integration and health, this study examined the relationships between motivation to cultivate social ties or network cultivation, and diurnal salivary cortisol in Chinese older adults. The main objective was to determine the behavioral mechanism that translated a higher motivation to cultivate social ties into healthier diurnal cortisol rhythms in 82 community-dwelling elders in Shanghai. Participants were provided four saliva samples immediately, 30 minutes, and 3 hours after waking and at bedtime on two consecutive days to determine their cortisol range. Participants completed a questionnaire measuring (1) network cultivation, (2) social contacts and behaviors, (3) loneliness, and (4) subjective socioeconomic status. Cortisol concentrations were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mediation analysis using the PROCESS macro v4.2 showed that a composite measure of social integration or embeddedness, created by combining social behaviors and loneliness, partially mediated the relationship between network cultivation and cortisol dynamic range. Given the relevance of diurnal cortisol to well-being in older adults, the empirical findings on the mediating effect of social integration could inform the formulation of effective psychosocial interventions to promote well-being and health in older adults, which will have important implications for public health in aging societies.