scholarly journals Social Roles of Family and Friends Differ in Social Networks of Older Adults Who Live Alone

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 623-624
Author(s):  
Sato Ashida ◽  
Ellen Schafer ◽  
Lena Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Roles ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Social ◽  
Non Local ◽  
Network Approaches ◽  
Local Family

Abstract Social networks consisting of family and friends tend to better facilitate older adults’ emotional well-being than networks consisting of only family or only friends. This study assessed the heterogeneity of older adults’ network compositions based on the network members’ relationship (family vs. friends) and proximity (local vs. non-local) and evaluated the types of interactions between older adults and types of members. Adults 60 years and older living in a U.S. Midwestern city participated in a one-time structured survey (n=133), and reported about 1,730 social network members. Compared to participants who lived with others, those who lived alone reported more depressive symptoms and higher frequency of feeling lonely (p=0.002). Those who lived alone also had higher proportions of local friends in their networks than those who lived with others (p=0.02). Whereas the social roles of family and friends were similar in networks of older adults who lived with others, those who lived alone were less likely to identify family as who they co-engaged in social activities with (local family OR=0.55, non-local family OR=0.27) and who provided companionship (local family OR=0.33, non-local family OR=0.11) compared to their local friends. Having more members who co-engaged in activities was associated with lower depressive symptoms (p=0.05) and less frequency of feeling lonely (p<0.01). Providing supportive infrastructure for community-based older adults to develop and maintain co-engaging relationships with local friends may be beneficial. Network approaches can be used to identify existing network members who may be inspired to play this role.

scholarly journals PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: HARNESSING SOCIAL NETWORKS TO OPTIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXTS FOR DIVERSE AGING EXPERIENCES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S583-S583
Author(s):  
Philip A Rozario ◽  
Emily Greenfield ◽  
Nancy Kusmaul
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Senior Housing

Abstract Social networks provide opportunities for engagement with others and structure the receipt and provision of emotional, instrumental, informational and appraisal support. Indeed scholars in this field have documented the importance of having strong social networks in influencing older adults’ well-being and quality of life. The three papers in this symposium draw on the convoy model of social relations and ecological model to examine and better understand the micro, mezzo, macro contexts that shape and influence how older people engage with and benefit from their networks in three areas: low-income senior housing communities, urban areas specifically targeting older Latinos with dementia, and disaster preparedness in micropolitan counties in eastern Iowa. The first paper, a cross-sectional study focusing on social connections in senior housing communities, examines levels of social networks, engagement, support and loneliness and their relationship with well-being outcomes. The second paper, a community-based participatory research project, reports an intervention that seeks to train natural helpers in a predominantly Latino urban neighborhood to identify and refer older Latinos with dementia to bilingual assessment services. The third paper, synthesizing findings from interventions targeting network building at the individual and state levels as well as a community-based network analysis, presents ways to strengthen networks at the mezzo and macro levels as well as environmental contexts that enable better disaster preparedness for community-based older adults. These papers will consider practice, policy and research implications in strengthening social networks and engagement to optimize older adults’ well-being in various settings.

The Social Context of Driving Cessation: Understanding the Effects of Cessation on the Life Satisfaction of Older Drivers and Their Social Partners

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1661-1686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Schryer ◽  
Kathrin Boerner ◽  
Amy Horowitz ◽  
Joann P. Reinhardt ◽  
Steven E. Mock
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Older Drivers ◽  
Driving Cessation ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Partners

Older adults with vision loss and a friend or family member were interviewed over a 2-year period. We examined the effects of driving cessation on life satisfaction among older adults and a social contact. Drivers’ use of public transportation was examined as a moderator. Driving cessation was associated with a decline in life satisfaction among social partners but not for the drivers. Drivers’ use of public transportation at baseline moderated the effects of cessation on changes in well-being among social partners, but had little effect on the life satisfaction of the drivers. Life satisfaction was greater among the social partners of ex-drivers who used public transportation more frequently. The association between driving cessation and well-being should be studied in the context of older drivers’ social networks. Infrastructure (e.g., subways and buses) that supports transportation needs plays an important role in mitigating the effects of cessation on older adults’ social networks.

Longitudinal changes in social networks, health and wellbeing among older Koreans

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (9) ◽  
pp. 1915-1936 ◽  
Author(s):  
BORIN KIM ◽  
SOJUNG PARK ◽  
TONI C. ANTONUCCI
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
The Social ◽  
Restricted Type

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the changes in social network types among older adults in South Korea, and it examines whether, and to what extent, these changes influence their health and psychological wellbeing. Data were obtained from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. The sample was restricted to respondents over 65 years of age who participated in both the 2006 and 2008 surveys (N = 3,501). The social network types for both years were derived by Latent Class Analysis. Changes in network types over time were then identified. A series of multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of social network changes on self-rated health, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction. Restricted, Family, Friend and Diverse network types were derived in each wave of the study. Although the direction of social network changes was not always towards the Restricted type, the Restricted network was the most prevalent and stable type among older Koreans. Older adults who remained in or transitioned to restricted types of social networks were more likely to have poor self-rated health, higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower levels of life satisfaction. This study adds to the limited body of literature on longitudinal network typology, and it expands the knowledge of social network types among older adults in diverse social and cultural contexts.

scholarly journals The Effects of Grandchild Care on Mental Health Among Chinese Elderly: The Mediating Effects of Social Networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 349-349
Author(s):  
Dan Tang ◽  
Jie Qiu ◽  
Kun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Grandchild Care ◽  
The Social ◽  
Older Chinese

Abstract Using the data of 2014 baseline survey of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), which provides a sample of older Chinese who had grandchild younger than 18 years old, this study examines the associations among grandchild care, social networks, and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults. The older adults are divided into three groups basing on the frequency of their behaviors of taking care of grandchildren. The three groups are ‘no care, providing care occasionally, providing care frequently’. The mediating and moderating effects of social networks between grandchild care and depressive symptoms are tested. Results show that older adults who provide grandchild care report superior social networks and better mental health than those who don’t provide grandchild (reference group). After controlling the related variables, the older adults who provide grandchild occasionally benefit more than those who take care of grandchild frequently. Grandchild care is related to larger social networks, and the social networks are fully mediating the association between grandchild care and depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Stress-Buffering Factors of Social Integration on Depressive Symptoms Over Time in Late-Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 927-927
Author(s):  
Emily Kinkade ◽  
Heather Fuller
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Buffering ◽  
Buffering Effect ◽  
Community Interaction ◽  
The Social ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The negative impacts of stress on older adults’ well-being are well documented, and social integration is posited as protective against such detrimental effects. Previous research illustrates the stress-buffering effect of social relationships on both physical and mental health, such as depressive symptoms, in older adults. The purpose of this study was to expand on prior findings by investigating the longitudinal stress-buffering effect of various dimensions of social integration on depressive symptoms among an older sample. Four waves of data were drawn from the Social Integration and Aging Study, including 416 older adults (ages 60-100). Subscales of the Social Integration in Later Life Scale measuring frequency and satisfaction with social ties and community interaction were used to assess distinct dimensions of social integration. Multilevel modeling demonstrated that two facets of social integration—satisfaction with social ties and frequency of community interaction—moderated the relationship between perceived stress and trajectories of depressive symptoms over time. Participants who reported high levels of stress reported fewer depressive symptoms if they had high satisfaction with social ties and high frequency of community involvement. Interestingly, frequency of contact with social ties and satisfaction with community interaction did not similarly buffer negative effects for depressive symptoms. These findings indicate the value of remaining actively engaged in the community and maintaining meaningful relationships as older adults age. Future research should investigate programs to foster relationships and engagement between older adults and their communities, with particular consideration of populations at a greater risk for isolation.

From Social Integration to Social Isolation: The Relationship Between Social Network Types and Perceived Availability of Social Support in a National Sample of Older Canadians

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 715-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Harasemiw ◽  
Nancy Newall ◽  
Shahin Shooshtari ◽  
Corey Mackenzie ◽  
Verena Menec
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Perceived Availability ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Well Being

It is well-documented that social isolation is detrimental to health and well-being. What is less clear is what types of social networks allow older adults to get the social support they need to promote health and well-being. In this study, we identified social network types in a national sample of older Canadians and explored whether they are associated with perceived availability of different types of social support (affectionate, emotional, or tangible, and positive social interactions). Data were drawn from the baseline questionnaire of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging for participants aged 65–85 (unweighted n = 8,782). Cluster analyses revealed six social network groups. Social support generally declined as social networks became more restricted; however, different patterns of social support availability emerged for different social network groups. These findings suggest that certain types of social networks place older adults at risk of not having met specific social support needs.

scholarly journals Social Network Types and Depressive Symptoms among Older Korean Men and Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11175
Author(s):  
Kyung-Won Choi ◽  
Gyeong-Suk Jeon
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

This study explores the social network types of older Korean men and women, and the relationship of those networks to depressive symptoms. A population of 4608 older adults who participated in the Living Profiles of Older People Survey (LPOPS) were included in the study. Seven criterion variables—marital status, living arrangements, frequency of contact with children, close friends, and close relatives, participation in social activities, and total network size—were included in a K-means cluster analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis of the impact of social network type on depressive symptoms was conducted. We identified two “diverse type” social networks (diverse-married and diverse-unmarried) in women, and one diverse type and one “social-activity-focused type” network in men. Family focused type and two “restricted type” social networks (restricted-couple-focused, and restricted-unmarried) were identified in both men and women. The restricted-unmarried and restricted-couple-focused networks were associated with more depressive symptoms in both men and women. However, the family focused type was associated with more depressive symptoms only in women. The results indicated that social network types, and their impact on depressive symptoms, differ by gender. There is a need for further research on gender differences in the social network types of older adults across diverse cultures.

Analysis of Self-Concept in Older Adults in Different Contexts

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 262-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel de Gracia Blanco ◽  
Josep Garre Olmo ◽  
María Marcó Arbonès ◽  
Pilar Monreal Bosch
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Home ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
External Validity ◽  
Aging Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Self Perceptions ◽  
Discriminatory Capacity

Summary: Self-concept is a construct consisting of a group of specific self-perceptions that are hierarchically organized. Age-associated changes of self-concept are related to the individual's perception of the changes occurring throughout the aging process. The authors examined external validity and internal consistency of an instrument that has been developed to assess self-concept in older adults and examined self-concept's characteristics in two different contexts. Results confirm the multidimensionality of the scale and show a satisfactory external validity, indicating good discriminatory capacity. Findings support the hypothesis that older people who live in a nursing home have a poor self-esteem, self-concept, and psychological well-being and have a greater presence of depressive symptoms than people who live in their own home.

Social Capital and Sustainable Health Care: An Analysis of Community Based Palliative Care Model of Kerala

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdul Azeez. E.P
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Voluntary Organizations ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Social ◽  
Palliative Care Units

Social Capital is the most crucial asset which significantly influence the efficacy and resilience of any community. Social capital is a dependent variable that depends upon the competence and coherence of the individuals in the community and mode of social relationships, trust and networks they maintain. It is one of the most sustainable social resources that originate from human relations and results on the mutual support of people. Utilization of Social capital has a wide applicability in the process of social inclusion, especially in dealing with the vulnerable and disadvantaged sections in the community itself. Voluntary organizations are very keen to utilize the social capital for community/social services and community development in a sustainable manner. Community based de-institutionalized Palliative Care is one of the foremost among such organizations that made social capital in a strategic way for social inclusion and community well being. This paper analyses the extent to which different elements of social capital helps in initiating the sustainable community based palliative care movement by assessing the unique intervention strategies carried out by the palliative care. This paper explores conceptual questions of how social capital and voluntary community based services are correlated. A case study method was adopted for the study in which ten palliative care units were analyzed. The results show that a number of social capital elements are playing a vital role in the sustainability of community palliative care movement in Kerala.

Comparing the social networks of service users with long term mental health needs living in community with those in a general adult in-patient unit

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110175
Author(s):  
Roberto Rusca ◽  
Ike-Foster Onwuchekwa ◽  
Catherine Kinane ◽  
Douglas MacInnes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Practical Support ◽  
The Social

Background: Relationships are vital to recovery however, there is uncertainty whether users have different types of social networks in different mental health settings and how these networks may impact on users’ wellbeing. Aims: To compare the social networks of people with long-term mental illness in the community with those of people in a general adult in-patient unit. Method: A sample of general adult in-patients with enduring mental health problems, aged between 18 and 65, was compared with a similar sample attending a general adult psychiatric clinic. A cross-sectional survey collected demographic data and information about participants’ social networks. Participants also completed the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale to examine well-being and the Significant Others Scale to explore their social network support. Results: The study recruited 53 participants (25 living in the community and 28 current in-patients) with 339 named as important members of their social networks. Both groups recorded low numbers in their social networks though the community sample had a significantly greater number of social contacts (7.4 vs. 5.4), more monthly contacts with members of their network and significantly higher levels of social media use. The in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Conclusions: People with serious and enduring mental health problems living in the community had a significantly greater number of people in their social network than those who were in-patients while the in-patient group reported greater levels of emotional and practical support from their network. Recommendations for future work have been made.

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