The social capital of older people

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANNE GRAY
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Older People ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
The Social

ABSTRACTHow can the ‘social capital’ inherent in social networks provide contacts through which older people access practical and emotional support? What is the relative importance of kin and non-kin, and of participation in organisations and informal ties such as contacts with neighbours? Following a brief contextualisation that draws on previous literature, this paper addresses these questions through analysis of British Household Panel Survey (BHPS) data. It examines the extent to which people feel they can count on emotional and practical support from friends and relatives. A dependent variable was created that measures the outcome of the ‘social capital’ residing in a respondent's social network. Relatively poor support was found amongst elders who were childless or had been continuously without a partner; relatively rich support was found amongst those who had frequent contact with other people, who interacted frequently with neighbours, and who regarded their neighbourhood as a positive social environment. Being active in organisations had less effect on social support than informal social contacts. Amongst many different forms of organisational activity, the only ones that had a positive association with social support were being in contact with others through religious activities, and engaging in sports clubs. The social support of working-class elders, even those ‘well networked’ in formal or informal ways, was strengthened less by their social capital than was that of the professional and managerial occupational groups.

scholarly journals The association between frailty and satisfaction with social contacts in the general older population

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Nguyen ◽  
E Braekman ◽  
S Demarest ◽  
J Van der Heyden
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older People ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Social Component ◽  
The Social

Abstract Background As a result of the demographic evolution, the proportion of older people will continue to increase in the coming decades. Frailty among elderly is one of the important challenges that Europe is facing. From a biomedical, perspective frailty is considered as a clinical syndrome that increases vulnerability. However, the role of social contacts in relation to frailty needs to be investigated. In this study, we assessed the association between frailty and perceived satisfaction with social contacts in a sample of the general older population. Methods This study was conducted on a representative sample of 2364, both institutionalized and non-institutionalized older participants (≥65 years) from the Belgian Health Interview Survey 2018. Frailty was assessed with the instrument used in the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) including dimensions of the Fried phenotype: exhaustion, weight loss, muscle strength, weakness and physical activity. The Oslo-3 Social Support Scale (OSS-3) was used to assess perceived quality of social support. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between frailty status and satisfaction with social contacts while controlling for age, gender, region, educational attainment and household composition. Results The prevalence of frailty was 22.8% (95%CI:21.2-24.6). The results showed that elderly who are unsatisfied with their social contacts are more likely to be frail (OR(95%CI):4.65 (2.82-7.66)). In addition, being older ≥75 years (OR(95%CI):2.40 (1.68-3.43)), being female (OR(95%CI):2.48 (1.73-3.56)), having a lower education (OR(95%CI):2.57 (1.71-3.87)), living alone (OR(95%CI):1.58 (1.10-2.27)) were associated with frailty. Conclusions Frailty is associated with living alone and being unsatisfied with the social contacts, among older people in Belgium. These findings confirm that the social component should be taken into account in strategies to reduce frailty in the general older population. Key messages Frailty is associated with living alone and being unsatisfied with the social contacts, among older people in Belgium. The social component should be taken into account in strategies to reduce frailty in the general older population.

scholarly journals Red de soporte social y apoyo comunitario en miembros de una organización de desplazados por violencia política residentes en Cañete, Perú/Social Support Network and Community Support Among Members of an Organization of Persons Displaced by Political Violence Residing in Cañete, Peru

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Ma. Teresa Schoof Aguirre ◽  
Eduardo Manzanares Medina ◽  
Miriam Grimaldo Muchotrigo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Political Violence ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Significant Positive Association ◽  
The Social ◽  
La Red ◽  
Violencia Politica

<p><em><strong>Español</strong></em></p><p>El objetivo de la presente investigación fue determinar la relación entre la red de soporte social y el apoyo comunitario en los miembros de una organización de personas desplazadas por violencia política. Para tal fin, el estudio descriptivo correlacional incluyó a 80 participantes (49 mujeres y 31 hombres) con una edad promedio de 45.79 años (DE = 11.41), quienes residían en una provincia de Lima y provenían, en su mayoría, del departamento de Ayacucho. Se les administró el Cuestionario de Red Social (SNQ) y el Cuestionario de Apoyo Comunitario Percibido (PCSQ). Entre los principales resultados, se encontró que el componente Integración y Participación Comunitaria del PCSQ correlaciona con dos funciones y dos categorías del SNQ. Se presenta asociación positiva estadísticamente significativa con la función guía cognitiva (rs = .32), la función socialización (rs = .24) y la categoría satisfacción (rs = .24) y asociación negativa y estadísticamente significativa con la categoría heterogeneidad (rs = -.23). Se discuten las implicancias de los presentes hallazgos.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>English</strong></em></p><p>The present study’s aim was to determine the relationship between the social support network and community support among members of an organization of persons displaced by political violence. The correlational-descriptive research included 80 individuals (49 females and 31 males) with a mean age of 45.79 years old (SD = 11.41), who reside in a province of Lima and came, mostly, from the department of Ayacucho. Participants completed the Social Network Questionnaire (SNQ), as well as the Perceived Community Support Questionnaire (PCSQ). Among the main findings, we found that the Integration component and Community Participation from the PCSQ correlate with two functions and two categories from the SNQ. Specifically there is a statistically significant positive association with the Cognitive Guide function (rs = .32), the Socialization function (rs = .24) and the Satisfaction category (rs = .24); and a statistically significant negative association with the Heterogeneity category (rs = -.23). Implications of the results obtained will be discussed in the present paper.</p>

scholarly journals Social capital and health among participants in the cachibol league in Israel

2020 ◽  
pp. 101269022096811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orna Baron-Epel ◽  
Deborah Kadish ◽  
Yuval Paldi ◽  
Daniel S Moran ◽  
Riki Tesler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Professional Community ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Social Involvement ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
Group Participation ◽  
Community Sports ◽  
Over Time

The Israeli cachibol league, Mamanet, is a grass roots non-professional community sports club for mothers. Our aim was to assess if participants in the Mamanet League have higher levels of social capital and if social capital and wellbeing improve with time. Two groups were interviewed: a control group not participating in the league and a group of Mamanet participants. The women were interviewed within 3 months of joining (T1) and 13–15 months later (T2). The questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, social capital (social support, social involvement, trust) and wellbeing (self-reported health (SRH), psychosomatic symptoms, depressive symptoms). At T1 the participants had higher social capital and SRH scores than the control group and lower psychosomatic and depressive symptoms compared with the control group. Participation in the Mamanet League seems to improve two of the three social capital measures: social support and social involvement, showing an increase among the Mamanet group over time and no change in the control group. Participation in the league had no significant effect on wellbeing during this period. Women that participate in sports clubs may initially have higher social capital; in addition, participation may increase levels of social capital over time.

scholarly journals The Effect of Social Media Use on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults with Self-Reported Hearing Impairment: An Empirical Study

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1403
Author(s):  
Yiming Ma ◽  
Changyong Liang ◽  
Xuejie Yang ◽  
Haitao Zhang ◽  
Shuping Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Older People ◽  
Hearing Impairment ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
The Social ◽  
Subjective Aging

Older people with hearing impairment are more likely to develop depressive symptoms due to physical disability and loss of social communication. This study investigated the effects of social media on social relations, subjective aging, and depressive symptoms in these older adults based on the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework. It provides new empirical evidence to support improving the mental health and rebuilding the social relations of older people. A formal questionnaire was designed using the Wenjuanxing platform and distributed online through WeChat; 643 valid questionnaires were received from older people with self-reported hearing impairments, and SmartPLS 3.28 was used to analyze the data. The results show that (1) social media significantly impacts the social relations of older people with hearing impairment (social networks, β = 0.132, T = 3.444; social support, β = 0.129, T = 2.95; social isolation, β = 0.107, T = 2.505). (2) For these older people, social isolation has the biggest impact on their psychosocial loss (β = 0.456, T = 10.458), followed by the impact of social support (β = 0.103, T = 2.014); a hypothesis about social network size was not confirmed (β = 0.007, T = 0.182). Both social media (β = 0.096, T = 2.249) and social support (β = 0.174, T = 4.434) significantly affect the self-efficacy of hearing-impaired older people. (3) Both subjective aging (psychosocial loss, β = 0.260, T = 6.036; self-efficacy, β = 0.106, T = 3.15) and social isolation (β = 0.268, T = 6.307) significantly affect depressive symptoms in older people with hearing impairment. This study expands the theories of social media aging cognition, social support, and social networks and can provide practical contributions to the social media use and mental health of special persons 60 years and older.

scholarly journals Social capital and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahmina Tasnim Rodela ◽  
Abida Sultana ◽  
E. Lisako J. McKyer ◽  
Sudip Bhattacharya ◽  
Md Mahbub Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Psychosocial Stressors ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Psychosocial Consequences ◽  
The Social ◽  
Global Evidence

COVID-19 pandemic is affecting mental health and wellbeing across populations. The continued burden of psychosocial stressors in different contexts necessitates multipronged interventions that address mental health problems and associated disparities. Global evidence suggests that social capital plays a critical role in determining mental health outcomes in communities, which can be leveraged for improving mental health in COVID-19. As communities with better social capital is likely to have a lower burden of mental disorders, it is necessary to assess potential measures to use social capital for mental health promotion in vulnerable populations. The existing forms of social capital may provide social support within and between communities that are critically affected by COVID-19. Alongside faster recovery from socioeconomic challenges, social capital interventions may strengthen the social determinants of mental health and empower communities to alleviate the psychosocial consequences of this pandemic.

scholarly journals Maternal/Child Social Support and Food Security in Relation to Child Height and Bmi in Four Low- and Middle- Income Countries: Mediation Analysis of Young Lives Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hwa-Young Lee ◽  
In Han Song ◽  
Ichiro Kawachi
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Child Height ◽  
Child Nutritional Status ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Abstract BackgroundPoor nutritional status in childhood is associated with an elevated risk of mortality and morbidity later in life. Previous studies showed a positive association between specific types of social capital and child nutritional status. Our study examined whether improved food security mediates the impact of maternal and child social support on child height and body mass index (BMI) in four low- and middle-income countries.Methods We used data from the Young Lives cohort study comprising roughly 1,000 children at age 8 and 12 in Vietnam, Ethiopia, India, and Peru. Outcome variables were z-score for height (HAZ) and BMI (BAZ). Results Belonging to the top half of maternal financial support and child financial support was positively associated with child HAZ at age 12 in Peru. Belonging to top half of overall maternal support among children aged 8 in Vietnam, and maternal financial support among children aged 12 in India were also positively associated with child BAZ. A positive association of food security was only found with maternal financial support among children aged 12 in Peru. However, food security did not play a significant role in mediating the effect of maternal financial support on child HAZ at age 12. ConclusionsStrengthening social support to improve child nutritional status may not be a sufficient intervention in resource-poor settings because sources of supports may lack sufficient food resources to share. Considering between-country heterogeneity, a “one size fits all” approach for enhancing social capital may not be appropriate.

scholarly journals New City = New Friends? The Restructuring of Social Resources after Relocation

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natascha Nisic ◽  
Sören Petermann
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Residential Mobility ◽  
Length Of Residence ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
The Social ◽  
Origin Region ◽  
New City ◽  
Theoretical Considerations ◽  
New Location

Despite the significance of spatially proximate social contacts, there is little evidence about the effects of residential mobility on the social capital available to an individual. Based on theoretical considerations of the accumulation process of social capital after relocation, we derive hypotheses about the consequences of residential mobility on social capital. Firstly, we expect a partial devaluation of social capital in the origin region after the move and compensatory investments in social capital at the new location. Secondly, we assume that social capital increases with the length of residence and distinguish accumulation and consolidation phases. Multivariate analysis based on survey data yields the expected consequences of mobility. Movers and native residents possess an equal amount of social capital; however, the composition of social capital differs between the two groups. Additionally, we decompose the length of residence into several time intervals to provide evidence for both the constituting and consolidating phases in the creation of social capital.

scholarly journals Social networks, accessed and mobilised social capital and the employment status of older workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 356-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaberi Gayen ◽  
Robert Raeside ◽  
Ronald McQuaid
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Older People ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Weak Ties ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of social networks, and the social capital embedded in them, to secure employment if someone had become unemployed after the age of 50 years and to reveal the process of accessing and mobilising that social capital. Design/methodology/approach A case study of a Scottish labour market was undertaken which involved an interview-based survey of those who became unemployed in their early 50’s and tried to regain employment. The interview had structured and unstructured parts which allowed both quantitative and qualitative analysis to compare those who were successful in regaining work with those who were not. The uniqueness of the paper is the use of social network components while controlling for other socio-economic and demographic variables in job search of older workers. Findings Those older people who were unemployed and, returned to employment (reemployed) had a higher proportion of contacts with higher prestige jobs, their job searching methods were mainly interpersonal and the rate of finding their last job via their social networks was higher than those who remained unemployed. Both groups mobilised social capital (MSC), but those reemployed accessed higher “quality” social capital. “Strong ties”, rather than “weak ties”, were found to be important in accessing and mobilising social capital for the older workers who returned to employment. Research limitations/implications This work is limited to a local labour market and is based on a small but informative sample. However, it does show that policy is required to allow older people to enhance their social networks by strengthening the social capital embedded in the networks. The results support the use of intermediaries as bridges to help compensate for older people who have weak social networks. Besides the policy implications, the paper also has two distinct research implications. First, the use of social network component to the existing literature of older workers’ job search. Second, exploring the type and relational strength with network members to explain older workers’ reemployment. Practical implications The paper illustrates that how accessed and MSC can be measured. Social implications As populations age, this work points to an approach to support older people to re-enter employment and to include them in society. Originality/value The paper extends social network and employment literature to fill gaps on how older people require to both access and mobilise social capital. The importance of “strong ties” in the reemployment of older workers contrasts with much of the literature on younger workers where the “strength of weak ties” so far has been regarded as essential for successful job search. Measures are forwarded to reveal the relevance of social capital. The policy value of the work is in suggesting ways to facilitate older people re-enter or remain in work and hence sustain their well-being.

Returning migrants

2021 ◽  
pp. 643-648
Author(s):  
Antonio Ventriglio ◽  
Matthew Kelly ◽  
Dinesh Bhugra
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Context ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Health Services Need ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Although it is often not known what proportion of migrants return to their countries of origin, it can be hypothesized that as their reasons for return vary, the stresses on return will also vary. In addition, it is possible that their social support and social capital will have changed in their absence, which may affect their social support and social capital. The research on return migration is somewhat limited, but some studies indicate that levels of stress in returning migrants are high and can lead to the development of psychiatric disorders. In order to function well, they will have to review and re-establish their social contacts, as well as their social context. The clinical care and health services need to be aware of the mental and physical health needs of such individuals and appropriate interventions need to be in place.

Associations between personal social capital and depressive symptoms: Evidence from a probability sample of urban residents in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 668-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinguang Chen ◽  
Mengting Gao ◽  
Yayun Xu ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Shiyue Li
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Longitudinal Design ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Rapid socioeconomic changes in China present a mental health challenge and also an opportunity to investigate the relationship between social capital and depression. Materials and methods: Participants (18–45 years old, N = 1,250) were selected using a probability sampling method. The relationship between social capital (measured using the Personal Social Capital Scale) and depression (measured using the Brief Symptom Inventory Depression Subscale) was examined using bivariate analysis, followed by multiple regression to control for covariates. Results: Of the total sample, 54.64% were female with mean age = 35.1 (standard deviation ( SD) = 7.5) years old. Depression score was 10.40 ( SD = 3.62) for males and 10.36 ( SD) = 3.30) for females. The social capital measures (including the total, bonding and bridging) were all negatively associated with depression scores, while the negative social capital was positively associated, after controlling for covariates. Subgroup analysis revealed some differences in the social capital–depression associations. Conclusion: The protective effect of social capital for mental health reported in other countries is also evident in this study. In addition, we found a positive association between negative social capital and depression. In addition to adding new knowledge, findings of this study, if verified with longitudinal design, can be used to support social and behavioral interventions in China to promote mental health by social capital enhancement.

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