Lonely But Not Alone: Neuroticism Mediates the Relationship Between Social Network Size and Loneliness in Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arianna Rigon ◽  
Melissa C. Duff ◽  
Janelle Beadle
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Personality Variables ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractObjectives:Although individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) often report higher levels of social isolation, little is known about the factors influencing their self-perception of loneliness. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between loneliness, social network size, and personality variables (neuroticism and extraversion) after TBI, and in particular whether specific personality variables mediate the relationship between social network size and perception of loneliness.Methods:Here, we assessed self-reported loneliness, personality variables, and social network size of 24 individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI and 41 healthy comparison participants. We then carried out a mediation analysis to examine whether personality variables mediated the relationship between loneliness and social network size.Results:Our results indicate that individuals with TBI reported higher levels of loneliness and neuroticism, but there was no group difference in social network size or extraversion. The mediation analysis revealed that the association between social network size and loneliness was mediated by neuroticism, but not by extraversion.Conclusions:Our findings show that neuroticism is an intervening variable in the relationship between social network size and self-perception of loneliness in individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI, and presents a new possible target for clinicians and rehabilitators seeking to address reports of loneliness and social isolation in TBI. (JINS2019,25, 266–274)

scholarly journals Social Networks and Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 237802312098525
Author(s):  
Balazs Kovacs ◽  
Nicholas Caplan ◽  
Samuel Grob ◽  
Marissa King
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Close Relationships ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Global Network ◽  
Network Data ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Social Network Data ◽  
Social Network Size

We utilize longitudinal social network data collected pre–COVID-19 in June 2019 and compare them with data collected in the midst of COVID in June 2020. We find significant decreases in network density and global network size following a period of profound social isolation. While there is an overall increase in loneliness during this era, certain social network characteristics of individuals are associated with smaller increases in loneliness. Specifically, we find that people with fewer than five “very close” relationships report increases in loneliness. We further find that face-to-face interactions, as well as the duration and frequency of interactions with very close ties, are associated with smaller increases in loneliness during the pandemic. We also report on factors that do not moderate the effect of social isolation on perceived loneliness, such as gender, age, or overall social network size.

Why Do High-Status People Have Larger Social Networks? Belief in Status-Quality Coupling as a Driver of Network-Broadening Behavior and Social Network Size

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiyin Cao ◽  
Edward Bishop Smith
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Network Size ◽  
High Status ◽  
Discussion Section ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Tightly Coupled ◽  
The Relationship

Previous research has demonstrated that the size and reach of people’s social networks tend to be positively related to their social status. Although several explanations help to account for this relationship—for example, higher-status people may be part of multiple social circles and therefore have more social contacts with whom to affiliate—we present a novel argument involving people’s beliefs about the relationship between status and quality, what we call status-quality coupling. Across seven separate studies, we demonstrate that the positive association between social status and network-broadening behavior (as well as social network size) is contingent on the extent to which people believe that status is a reliable indicator of quality. Across each of our studies, high- and low-status people who viewed status and quality as tightly coupled differed in their network-broadening behaviors, as well as in the size of their reported social networks. The effect was largely driven by the perceived self-value and perceived receptivity of the networking target. Such differences were significantly weaker or nonexistent among equivalently high- and low-status people who viewed status as an unreliable indicator of quality. Because the majority of participants—both high- and low-status—exhibited beliefs in status-quality coupling, we conclude that such a belief marks an important and previously unaccounted-for driver of the relationship between status, network-broadening behaviors, and social networks. Implications for research on social capital, advice seeking, and inequality are highlighted in the discussion section.

Correlating the Blood Alcohol Concentration with Outcome after Traumatic Brain Injury: Too Much Is Not a Bad Thing

2011 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1416-1419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cherisse Berry ◽  
Eric J. Ley ◽  
Daniel R. Margulies ◽  
James Mirocha ◽  
Marko Bukur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
The Relationship

Although recent evidence suggests a beneficial effect of alcohol for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), the level of alcohol that confers the protective effect is unknown. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between admission blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and outcomes in patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI. From 2005 to 2009, the Los Angeles County Trauma Database was queried for all patients ≥14 years of age with isolated moderate to severe TBI and admission serum alcohol levels. Patients were then stratified into four levels based on admission BAC: None (0 mg/dL), low (0-100 mg/dL), moderate (100-230 mg/dL), and high (≥230 mg/dL). Demographics, patient characteristics, and outcomes were compared across levels. In evaluating 3794 patients, the mortality rate decreased with increasing BAC levels (linear trend P < 0.0001). In determining the relationship between BAC and mortality, multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a high BAC level was significantly protective (adjusted odds ratio 0.55; 95% confidence interval: 0.38-0.8; P = 0.002). In the largest study to date, a high (≥230 mg/dL) admission BAC was independently associated with improved survival in patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI. Additional research is warranted to investigate the potential therapeutic implications.

Social capital networks in sports spectatorship and participation

2020 ◽  
pp. 101269022094086
Author(s):  
Adam Gemar
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Cultural Consumption ◽  
Capital Social ◽  
Cultural Patterns ◽  
Scholarly Literature ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship between social capital and sport has been an increasing focus of scholarly literature in recent decades. However, very few of these studies consider social capital alongside theories of cultural consumption. Even fewer seek to assess the place of social capital in sports spectatorship. Taking primarily a Bourdieusian and neo-Bourdieusian theoretical approach, this study seeks to rectify these gaps by analysing three key components of social capital – social network size, social network prestige and social network variety – and how they relate to patterns of sports spectatorship and participation. Results indicate that the type of social capital that is most predictive seems to rely heavily upon the nature of the cleavages between cultural patterns of sports engagement. While the size of social network seems most universally applicable to predict sports engagement generally, network variety also seems to be highly applicable to the most omnivorous engagement profiles. Finally, network prestige appears applicable to some highbrow profiles of sports engagement.

scholarly journals SOCIAL NETWORK SIZE AND FREQUENCY OF ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION: THE RELATIONSHIP TO INTERPERSONAL STRESS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S174-S174
Author(s):  
Xin Yao Lin ◽  
Margie E Lachman
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Interpersonal Stress ◽  
Electronic Communications ◽  
Daily Diary Study ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Video Chat ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Social relationships are beneficial for psychological wellbeing, but they are also associated with interpersonal stress. With the growing usage of multiple forms of electronic communications (EC) including phone calls, text messages, video chat, and internet among adults of all ages, it was of interest to explore the relationship between social network size (SNS), in-person communication (PC), and EC, and whether the relationship between SNS and frequency of communication is associated with interpersonal stress. A daily diary study was conducted over seven days for 142 participants ages 22 to 94. SNS was assessed with the social convoy model. Frequency of PC and EC, along with interpersonal stress, were assessed daily. As expected, multiple regression analysis results showed that older adults had smaller SNS and less frequent technology communication (text messages, video chat, internet) compared to younger adults. With regard to effects on interpersonal stress, there were no main effects for frequency of PC, EC, or SNS. However, the frequency of EC moderated the relationship between SNS and interpersonal stress, controlling for amount of PC. Among those with a smaller SNS, having more frequent EC was associated with less interpersonal stress compared to those with less frequent EC. For those with a larger SNS, having more frequent EC was associated with more interpersonal stress compared to those with less EC, but PC was not related to interpersonal stress. The discussion will consider implications of the findings for developing interventions to minimize stress from interpersonal communications, especially those that involve EC.

scholarly journals Differences in anxieties and social networks in a group-matched sample of autistic and typically developing students transitioning to university

Autism ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 1138-1151
Author(s):  
Jiedi Lei ◽  
Chris Ashwin ◽  
Mark Brosnan ◽  
Ailsa Russell
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Typically Developing ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Social Network Structure ◽  
Matched Design ◽  
The Relationship

Transitioning to university can be anxiety-provoking for all students. The relationship between social anxiety, autistic traits and students’ social network structure, and perceived support is poorly understood. This study used a group-matched design where autistic students ( n = 28) and typically developing students ( n = 28) were matched on sex, age (17–19 years), ethnicity, pre-university academic performance and degree subject at university. Autistic students reported greater transition to university worries, and a smaller social network size compared to typically developing students, though perceived similar levels of support from their social networks. Autistic and typically developing students showed differential patterns of association with both autistic traits and social anxiety. Broader clinical and practical implications of findings are discussed.

scholarly journals The Moderating Role of Social Network Size on Social Media Use and Self-Esteem: An Evolutionary Mismatch Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy J. Lim ◽  
Clement Lau ◽  
Norman P. Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Evolutionary Mismatch ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
The Relationship

Existing meta-analyses have shown that the relationship between social media use and self-esteem is negative, but at very small effect sizes, suggesting the presence of moderators that change the relationship between social media use and self-esteem. Employing principles from social comparison and evolutionary mismatch theories, we propose that the social network sizes one has on social media play a key role in the relationship between social media use and self-esteem. In our study (N = 123), we showed that social media use was negatively related to self-esteem, but only when their social network size was within an evolutionarily familiar level. Social media use was not related to self-esteem when people’s social networks were at evolutionarily novel sizes. The data supported both social comparison and evolutionary mismatch theories and elucidated the small effect size found for the relationship between social media use and self-esteem in current literature. More critically, the findings of this study highlight the need to consider evolutionarily novel stimuli that are present on social media to better understand the behaviors of people in this social environment.

scholarly journals Extraversion is associated with advice network size, but not network density or emotional closeness to network members

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Connor Malcolm ◽  
Tamsin Saxton ◽  
Kris McCarty ◽  
Sam G. B. Roberts ◽  
Thomas Victor Pollet
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Network Density ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Emotional Closeness ◽  
Personality Variables ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
The Social ◽  
Personal Wellbeing

Friendship networks are instrumental to a whole range of outcomes including career success and personal wellbeing, and as such it is important to ask how social networks are shaped by personality variables. However, previous research examining how extraversion is associated with social network size and closeness to social network members has produced inconsistent findings. Here, we assessed how extraversion (HEXACO model) was associated with three key features of advice networks (size, density, and emotional closeness to network members) in a sample of 199 participants (17 - 75 years, M = 25, SD = 11; 146 women). We found that higher levels of extraversion (and its four facets: social self-esteem, social boldness, sociability, and liveliness) corresponded to a significantly larger advice network, but not greater network density, or greater emotional closeness to network members. The social manifestation of extraversion here seems to be operationalised in terms of a greater number of interactive advice partners, but no increased probability of ensuring that contacts are connected to each other, or of developing emotionally deep relationships with contacts.

Abstract 4: The Effect of Prehospital Hypoxia and Hypotension on Outcome in Major Traumatic Brain Injury: A Deadly Combination

Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel W Spaite ◽  
Uwe Stolz ◽  
Bentley J Bobrow ◽  
Vatsal Chikani ◽  
Duane Sherrill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Trauma Center ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Severe Tbi ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia (HOx) or hypotension (HT) occurring during the EMS management of major traumatic brain injury-TBI reduces survival. However, little is known about the impact of both HOx and HT, occurring together, on outcome. Only a handful of reports have studied the combination of prehospital HOx/HT in TBI and the largest of these only had 14 cases with both. Objectives: To evaluate the associations between mortality and prehospital HOx and HT, both separately and in combination. METHODS: All moderate/severe TBI cases (CDC Barell Matrix Type-1) in the Excellence in Prehospital Injury Care (EPIC) TBI Study (a statewide, before/after controlled study of the impact of implementing the EMS TBI Treatment Guidelines-NIH/NINDS: 1R01NS071049) from 1/1/08-6/30/12 were evaluated [exclusions: age<10; death before ED arrival; EMS O2 saturation-“sat”<11%; EMS SBP less than 40 or greater than 200; missing sat (5.4% of cases) or SBP (3.1% of cases)]. The relationship between mortality and HOx (sat <90) and/or HT (SBP<90) was assessed with crude and adjusted odds ratios (cOR, aOR) using multivariable logistic regression, controlling for important confounders (see Figure) and accounting for clustering by Trauma Center. RESULTS: 9194 cases were included [Median age: 46 (IQR: 26-65); Male: 68.1%]. 8109 (88.2%) had no HOx/HT, 535 (5.8%) had HOx only, 419 (4.6%) had HT only, and 131 (1.4%) had both HOx/HT. The Figure shows the cORs and aORs for death. CONCLUSION: In this large analysis of major TBI, prehospital HOx and HT were associated with significantly increased mortality. However, the combination of HT and HOx together had a profoundly-negative effect on survival even after controlling for significant confounders. In fact, the aOR for death in patients with both HOx/HT was more than 3 times greater than for those with HOx or HT alone. Since the TBI Guidelines emphasize the prevention and treatment of HOx and HT, their implementation has the potential to significantly impact outcome.

scholarly journals Social Support, Isolation, Loneliness, and Health Among Older Adults in the PRISM Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara J. Czaja ◽  
Jerad H. Moxley ◽  
Wendy A. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Functional Impairments ◽  
Social Connectivity ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Socially Isolated ◽  
Aging Adults

Objectives: Social isolation and loneliness are serious public health issues given the association with negative physical, mental; and cognitive health outcomes and increased risk for mortality. Due to changes in life circumstances many aging adults are socially isolated and experience loneliness. We examined the relationships among four correlated but distinct constructs: social network size, social support, social isolation, and loneliness as they relate to indices of health and wellbeing among diverse subpopulations of older adults. Guided by WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) we also examined factors that predict loneliness and social isolation.Methods: Analyses of baseline data from sample of older adults who participated in an intervention trial that examined the beneficial effects of a software system designed to support access to resources and information, and social connectivity. Participants included 300 individuals aged 65–98, who lived alone, were primarily of lower socio-economic status and ethnically diverse. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, self-report measures of health, depression, social network size, social support, and loneliness.Results: Loneliness was strongly associated with depression and self-ratings of health. In turn, greater social isolation and less social support were associated with greater loneliness. Social isolation was associated with depression and lower self-ratings of health. The association between social isolation and health was mediated by loneliness. Individuals in the older cohorts (80+) reported less social support. With respect to loneliness, having a smaller social network, more functional limitations, and limitations in engaging meaningful activities was associated with higher levels of loneliness and greater social isolation.Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of social connectively to wellbeing for older adults and suggest that those in the older cohorts, who have a small social network, and with greater physical and functional impairments may be particularly vulnerable to being socially isolated and lonely. The findings provide guidance for future interventions. In this regard, we discuss how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may be used to promote social connectivity and engagement. Strategies to make the usability and availability of these applications for aging adults are highlighted.

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