The Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Hospital Length of Stay Among Aging Canadians

Background: Hospital stays that are prolonged due to non-clinical factors are costly to health care systems and are likely suboptimal for patient well-being. We assessed the influence of psychosocial factors on hospital length of stay (LOS) for older Canadians in a retrospective cohort study. Data and Methods: Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey were linked with the Discharge Abstract Database. Analyses were stratified by age, 55–64 ( n = 1,060) and 65 and older ( n = 2,718). Main predictor variables of interest included four measures of social support, sense of belonging, and living alone. Multivariate models of LOS adjusted for age, sex, income, smoking, and frailty. Results: Among the younger respondents, low positive social interactions, low emotional/informational support, and living alone were associated with a longer LOS. Among respondents 65 and older, low affection, low positive social interactions, low emotional/informational support, and a weak sense of belonging were associated with a longer LOS. Discussion: Having low social support is associated with longer hospital stays in this Canadian cohort. Social support may influence LOS as risk factors for poor health and precarious care in the community. Mitigating these risk factors could reduce the economic burden that is played out through longer hospital stays.