Analysis of the Relation of Social Skills and Successful Aging Strategies in Elderly People Regularly Participating in Digital Inclusion Courses

Abstract

Social relations contribute to give meaning to life, favoring the organization of identity through the interrelationship between people. Although there are studies that indicate an association between interpersonal relationships, social support and quality of life of the elderly, only a few focus specifically on the social skills of this population and the empirical relationship with successful aging. The objective was to analyze the association between social skills and successful aging strategies. The method had a quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional design, with a sample of 50 people, between 60 and 84 years old, of both genders, participating in computing groups in Novo Hamburgo/Brazil. The Social Skills Inventory 2 (IHS2-Del-Prette), and the Selection, Optimization and Compensation Inventory (SOC) were used. For data analysis, descriptive, correlation (Spearman) and linear regression (stepwise) analyzes were performed. The results showed that the increase in the use of successful aging strategies is directly related to the expansion of social skills for expressing positive feelings and for social resourcefulness. The strategy of elective selection, for the promotion of successful aging is directly related to the improvement of social skills, especially of assertive conversation and social resourcefulness. The loss-based selection strategy is directly related to the expression of positive feelings and social resourcefulness. Therefore, it is relevant that public actions and policies that promote the development of successful aging strategies are maintained and promoted, as they can assist in increasing the repertoire of social skills.