scholarly journals Aging LGBT Adults’ Access to Social Resources According to LGBT Identity and Sociodemographics

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 174-174
Author(s):  
Krystal Kittle ◽  
Kathrin Boerner ◽  
Kyungmin Kim
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Resources ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Sociodemographic Characteristics ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Community Belonging ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Identity Groups

Abstract Research suggests that social resources positively influence the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) aging adults, but their access to social resources may vary according to LGBT identity. Using data from Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study (N=2,536), multivariate models tested how access to social resources varied by LGBT identity and whether the effect of LGBT identity showed additional variations by sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age and education) among aging LGBT adults. Lesbian respondents had larger social networks than gay respondents, while gay respondents had smaller networks than transgender respondents. Lesbian respondents had more social support and community belonging than other identity groups. Bisexual male respondents and transgender respondents had less support than gay respondents and bisexual male respondents reported less community belonging than gay respondents. Education and age moderated the association between LGBT identity and social support. Findings highlight the importance of considering social support separately from social network size with the understanding that large social networks do not necessarily provide ample social support and this distinction was particularly relevant for transgender respondents who had larger social networks, but less social support than gay respondents. Results also suggest that feelings of LGBT community belonging vary among LGBT identity groups. Health and human service professionals should not only consider the sexual and gender identity of their aging LGBT clients, but also consider the clients’ additional sociodemographic characteristics when assessing their access to social resources.

scholarly journals Associations Between Social Support, Social Networks, and Financial Exploitation in Older Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 990-1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott R. Beach ◽  
Richard Schulz ◽  
Rodlescia Sneed
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Financial Exploitation ◽  
The Social

Social support and social networks are important correlates of elder mistreatment. This study tests hypothesized associations between perceived social support, social network size, and financial exploitation (FE). A population-based survey of 903 older adults (60+) in Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) found that lower perceived social support and larger social networks were simultaneously associated with higher risk for FE since age 60, controlling for known risk factors. The same associations were found for FE in the last 6 months. Older adults with larger social networks combined with lower perceived social support were most likely to report FE. When it comes to the role of social relationships and risk for FE, “more may not always be better.” Encouragement to widen the social network by “making new friends” should be stressed less than making sure these new network members will truly be supportive of the older adult.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORK ON AMERICAN OLDER ADULTS’ MEMORY FUNCTIONS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S929-S930
Author(s):  
Ethan Siu Leung Cheung ◽  
Kedong Ding
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Memory Functions ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Previous studies have found older adults’ cognitive functions are strongly associated with their social networks, including memory. Yet, few studies have explored the influences of specific social network members, such as siblings and children. Further, little studies examined the impact of the size of older adults’ social networks. Hence, this study aimed to investigate how older adults’ relationships with their spouses, siblings, and children, as well as the size of their social networks, affect American older adults’ memory functions. Methods: Using the 2018 data from NHATS, 5547 samples were included. We adopted a multiple logistic regression model to test the impact of social support network sizes, and how associations of social support networks varied between spouses, siblings, and children. All models were calibrated for age, gender, education, income, and race/ethnicity. Results: Analysis showed that higher socioeconomic status (more education and without Medicaid), being female, and younger age were associated with increased odds of having good self-rated memory functions. Older adults with larger social support networks (>=3 individuals) were more likely to have better self-rated memory function (adjusted odds ratio, 1.182, p<0.05), while holding other variables. Having a spouse also increased odds of higher self-rating memory function, in contrast to having children. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of having a larger social network size for older adult’s memory function and indicated the necessity of developing intervention programs to expand older adults' social network size, especially for those with lower socioeconomic status.

scholarly journals Comparisons of Social Support and Social Networks in Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Women

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Stephanie Rattelade ◽  
Susan Farrell
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Homeless Women ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Social Support Network ◽  
Housing Status ◽  
Health And Well Being

Social support is closely connected to mental health and well-being as well as experiences of housing vulnerability. This study explored differences between homeless and vulnerably housed women in their experiences of social support. Forty-nine homeless and 43 vulnerably housed women completed 3 measures to assess their social networks, social support networks, and global social support. Vulnerably housed women reported fewer social support network members than homeless women. Social support network size was found to be a predictor of global social support score. These findings suggest that housing status impacts social support in homeless and vulnerably housed women, which may have implications for their well-being.

Self disclosure and self criticism in adolescents

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1022-1022
Author(s):  
N. Horesh-Reinman
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Negative Life Events ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Social Network Size

BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between self-disclosure and self-criticis, positive and negative life events, social support, and a number of well-being and distress variables.MethodsFifty-one adolescents suffering from emotional difficulties and 47 healthy adolescents participated in the study. The following questionnaires were administered to the subjects: Major Life Events Questionnaire, Minor Life Events Questionnaire, Self-Disclosure Questionnaire, Self-Criticism Questionnaire, Social Support Questionnaire, Depressive symptoms questionnaire, Mood questionnaire and demographic questionnaire.ResultsThe study group was characterized by a greater number of major negative life events, a lower level of social support, and a higher level of distress indexes. In the whole sample a positive relation was found between life events and the social network size, and also between positive life events and self-disclosure level and between it and satisfaction from social support. We also found a positive relationship between the negative life events and some of the distress indexes. In addition, there were gender differences in self-disclosure: the girls were more willing to disclose themselves to a close friend in comparison to the boys. A negative relationship was found between self-criticism and social network size. Moreover, self-criticism was related positively to suicidal tendency indexes and was negatively related to positive mood. Finally, a negative relationship was found between social support and some of the distress indexes.ConclusionsThe results of the study confirmed most of the research hypotheses. The theoretical and clinical implications of the study are discussed, as well its strengths and limitations.

The Effect of Social Network Size and Composition on the Link Between Discrimination and Health Among Sexual Minorities

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (9) ◽  
pp. 1214-1221
Author(s):  
Katelin E. Leahy ◽  
William J. Chopik
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Stress And Health ◽  
Lgbt Individuals

Objectives: Previous research has examined the link between discrimination and health in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine if health-promoting variables, like social networks, might disrupt this association. Method: Participants were 2,560 LGBT older adults who reported on the composition of their social network, level of discrimination, stress, and health/well-being. Results: Moderated mediation results indicated that social network size disrupted the associations between discrimination, stress, and health outcomes when social networks were (a) larger and (b) comprised of LGBT individuals (but not straight individuals), regardless of age. Discussion: Larger social networks that include fellow LGBT individuals helped buffer experiences of stress and discrimination on health outcomes among LGBT older adults. Implications for how protective factors can reduce the negative effects of discrimination and stress are discussed.

scholarly journals Social relationships, living arrangements and loneliness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Schmitz ◽  
S. Mauritz ◽  
M. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
The Social

Abstract Background Oldest-old people are expected to be particularly likely to experience loneliness due to the loss of their intimate partner or of same-aged social network members. It is assumed that individuals in different living arrangements maintain different kinds of social networks because they adjust their networks to their specific needs. However, not much is known about the variation in the social networks of the oldest-old depending on their living arrangements and how this variation is related to loneliness. This is the first study that seeks to fill this research gap by examining how the composition and the size of a social network varies among the oldest-old depending on their living arrangements with a partner (coresidential partnership, living apart together (LAT) partnership, no partnership), and how this variation contributes to explain loneliness among the oldest-old. Methods We used cross-sectional data from the representative survey NRW80+ (Quality of Life and Well-Being of the Very Old in North-Rhine Westphalia). The sample of analysis used in this study consists of 1860 respondents from the German state of North-Rhine Westphalia aged 80 years and older. Associations between social network characteristics and living arrangements were tested using χ2-tests and one-way ANOVA. Ordered logit models were used to explain loneliness. Results Respondents in a coresidential partnership maintained larger social networks than those in an LAT partnership and those with no intimate partner. Furthermore, the respondents with no partner maintained more diverse social networks. Compared to those in the other living arrangements, the respondents in an LAT partnership maintained the smallest and least diverse social networks. Being in a coresidential partnership and the social network size were found to be negatively associated with loneliness. Conclusion First, the results indicate that respondents who do not have a partner adjusted their social networks to meet their needs in the absence of this relationship. Second, we conclude that being in a coresidential partnership and having a large social network protects the oldest-old against loneliness.

Social Support and Well-Being: Preliminary Indicators Based on Two Samples of the Elderly

1986 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary J. Levitt ◽  
Toni C. Antonucci ◽  
M. Cherie Clark ◽  
James Rotton ◽  
Gordon E. Finley
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Geographic Proximity ◽  
Supportive Relationships ◽  
Two Samples

The structure of social support and its relation to health, affect, and life satisfaction are compared for two samples of the elderly. The first is a national representative sample; the second is a distressed sample from South Miami Beach. Although there are similarities in the structure of social support across the two groups, those in the Miami Beach sample report fewer support figures, and far fewer within geographic proximity, than do those in the national sample. This comparative network impoverishment is particularly marked for male respondents and is accentuated by a high number of isolates in this group. In addition, stronger relationships are found between support network size and affect, and among affect, life satisfaction, and health in the South Miami Beach sample. Older men in poor health and without supportive relationships are targeted as a particularly high risk subgroup. The discussion includes a focus on personal, situational, and life span differences related to variations in support and well-being and a consideration of implications for more recent waves of elderly sun-belt migrants.

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.

Safe but isolated – an interview study with Iraqi refugees in Sweden about social networks, social support, and mental health

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402095425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sundvall ◽  
David Titelman ◽  
Valerie DeMarinis ◽  
Liubov Borisova ◽  
Önver Çetrez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Iraqi Refugees ◽  
Structured Interviews

Background: Problems with social networks and social support are known to be associated with mental ill-health in refugees. Social support after migration promotes resilience. Aim: To study how Iraqi refugees who arrived in Sweden after the year 2000 perceived their social networks and social support, and to relate the observed network characteristics and changes to the refugees’ mental health and well-being. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 31 refugees, including questions on background and migration experiences, a biographical network map, and three health assessment scales. The findings were analysed with descriptive statistics and content thematic analysis. Results: The respondents’ networks were diminished. Social support was continued to be provided mainly by family members and supplemented by support from authorities. The main themes of the refugee experience of post-migration challenges were weakened social networks, barriers to integration and challenges to cultural and religious belonging. Failed reunion and worrying about relatives was described as particularly painful. Negative contacts with authority persons were often seen as humiliating or discriminating. Acquiring a new cultural belonging was described as challenging. At the same time, changing family and gender roles made it more difficult to preserve and develop the culture of origin. Traumatic experiences and mental health problems were common in this group. Family issues were more often than integration difficulties associated with mental health problems. Conclusion: In order to strengthen post-migration well-being and adaptation, authorities should support the refugees’ social networks. Clinicians need to address post-migration problems and challenges, including the meaning and function of social networks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document