Are Friendship Characteristics Associated With Mental Health Declines Among Older Adults With and Without Acquired Activities of Daily Living Limitation?

Older adults with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) limitation typically report worse mental health. Friendships may prevent major mental health declines among older adults, and this association may vary by ADL limitation status. Using data from Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (Waves 2006-2020), this research examined whether friendship characteristics, including few close friends, positive and negative support, frequency of contact, and providing help, were associated with mental health declines. Results from discrete-time event history analysis with multiple competing events revealed that the frequency of contact was associated with reduced risk of developing high depressive symptomology or being diagnosed with psychological conditions, whereas negative perceptions were associated with increased risk. Having few close friends increased the risk of high depressive symptomology. Acquiring ADL limitation was associated with increased risk of both outcomes. We did not find compelling evidence of friendship characteristics buffering or amplifying mental health declines following ADL limitation.