Six-year trajectories of social participation and connection among aging women and men: Comparison and best predictors from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

Although social participation and connection are essential for healthy aging, many older adults face isolation. Since most studies are cross-sectional, little is known about the trajectories of social participation and connection. This study aimed to compare social participation and connection trajectories among aging women and men, and examine their predictors. Secondary analyses of six-year longitudinal data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were conducted at baseline (2011-2015), and follow-ups 1 (2015-2018) and 2 (2018-2021; n = 51,338; 59.8 ± 10.2). Social participation and connection were modeled using group-based multi-trajectory modeling. Multilevel multinomial logistic regressions identified baseline individual and environmental predictors. Four trajectories were identified (most to least prevalent): Moderate-high, Moderate, Low, and High. Participation decreased but women globally maintained higher participation than men, and connection remained similar over time and across sexes. Being older, lower mobility, insufficient income, and poor mental and, for men only, physical health were associated with less favorable trajectories for both sexes. While immigration increased the odds of unfavorable trajectories among women, and of the Moderate trajectory among men, visible minority status was associated with the High trajectory. After adjustment, 17-28% of the variance in trajectories was attributable to community. Social deprivation increased the odds of less favorable trajectories, whereas rural areas were associated with higher odds of belonging to the High trajectory. Social participation and connection trajectories are shaped by place and space. These findings suggest that sex-specific, age-friendly urban planning and economic support are essential for maintaining social participation and connection in later life.