scholarly journals GRANDPARENT CAREGIVERS: THE RELATION BETWEEN SOCIAL NETWORKS AND RESILIENCE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S678-S679
Author(s):  
Nancy Mendoza ◽  
Christine Fruhauf

Abstract Grandparents raising grandchildren experience multiple challenges as they take on the unexpected role of caring for their grandchildren, which usually occurs under stressful and stigmatizing conditions. Many of the challenges grandparents experience are well documented in the research. Less attention is given to understanding how a grandparent caregiver’s social network changes when s/he becomes a caregiver and how her/his social network influences resilience. Thus, the purpose of this study was to use social network analysis (SNA) to examine the relation between social networks and resilience in grandparents raising their grandchildren. This was done by conducting face-to-face interviews with twenty grandparents raising grandchildren after they completed a survey measuring social support, social isolation, and resilience. The interview protocol included questions related to participants’ social network, social support, and services. Prior to the interviews, using data from the surveys participants were identified as representing one of four resilience quadrants: resilient, maladaptive, competent, and vulnerable. Qualitative analysis of grandparent’s social networks across groups indicated resilient grandparent caregivers’ networks were structured in a way that provided more opportunities for the inflow of new information and resources. Whereas the proportion of professionals in maladaptive grandparent caregivers’ networks tended to be less than for other networks. This could suggest that for grandparent caregivers, having professionals in one’s network can be beneficial. Findings from the current study provide opportunities for future research such as identifying ways to help grandparent caregivers structure their social networks to promote resilience.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 170-170
Author(s):  
Raeann LeBlanc ◽  
Rachel Walker

Abstract Social isolation is an emerging phenomenon known to significantly influence health outcomes and carries specific risk in older age. As part of a larger study exploring the social network effects on health among persons age 65 and above, it was found that four cases from a larger sample (n=89) could not name any one from their social relationships supportive to them in managing their health while living with complex chronic health needs. In addressing these findings, these cases, bounded spatially by individual social networks and temporally by the time of the study interview, served the basis for intensive analysis using multiple data points from in-depth interviews and survey measures. Measures included descriptive data (social networks, demographics) and measures of health (SF-12), and social support (MOS-SSS). Each participant case identified as female gender and single, three lived alone, had a high burden of chronic conditions and poor health. All had recent hospitalizations (1 or more within the past year). The structures of their social networks varied in type of relationship roles and size. Social support was perceived overall as low. This study offers a specific contribution to research on social connection/isolation. This phenomenon is relative to specific contexts. Findings emphasize that social isolation can be specific to certain aspects of identity and poorer health in older age. Additional research on the functions and qualities of social networks, in addition to the structure, are important to specify in future research and knowledge development for practice assessment to determine social connection and isolation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
L. G. Akhmaeva

A brief overview of the history of the Internet and social networks in the world and in Russia in particular has been provided. The concepts of social network, user profile and properties inherent in any social network – virtuality, interactivity and multimedia have been сharacterized and revealed. Dynamic data on the state of digital technologies for 2019 in the world and in Russia in particular have been analysed. The history and prospects for further development of social networks have been considered. Statistical data on the number of users of the 9 most popular social networks in Russia, namely: their activity, the amount of time spent on the Internet and in social networks, age and gender specifics and preferences of the technical devices used and types of Internet connection have been adduced. General recommendations to marketers on accurate targeting of ads placed in social networks have been given. To do this, companies should work with groups of users, that are united by a number of parameters, as well as create communities in social networks by companies that convey new information to users. Using data on the age, gender and other attributes of the target audience of social networks, marketers will be able to successfully solve the problems of increasing brand awareness and loyalty, attracting new customers, influencing the search promotion of external resources (sites and communities) containing information about the brand, products and services, and using them as effective tools for attracting potential customers.


2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Gow ◽  
Alison Pattie ◽  
Martha C. Whiteman ◽  
Lawrence J. Whalley ◽  
Ian J. Deary

Abstract. Social networks or support may contribute to successful aging. The Lothian Birth Cohort 1921 had their mental ability assessed at age 11 and 79. Almost 500 participants also rated their life satisfaction, social networks, and support at age 80. After controlling for age-11 IQ, sex, years of education, and social class, loneliness was the only social network/support characteristic adding significantly to the prediction of age-79 IQ, explaining about 2% of the variance; in old age, increased loneliness was associated with lower cognitive ability. Social network/support factors accounted for 23% of the variance in satisfaction with life ratings, with the greatest contributions from reduced loneliness (~12%) and having someone to talk to (~6%). Social network/support characteristics explained a greater proportion of the variance in life satisfaction ratings compared with later life cognition, although an individual's level of loneliness emerged as the largest single social support predictor of both outcomes. Possible causal pathways for these associations, which need to be studied in future research, are discussed.


Author(s):  
Deborah O. Obor ◽  
Emeka E. Okafor

This study focused on social networks and business performance among Igbo businessmen in Ibadan, South-west Nigeria through the exploratory research design. Social exchange, social network and social capital theories were employed as theoretical framework. Twenty-six in-depth interviews, key informant interviews and case studies were conducted with purposively selected respondents in four business locations in Ibadan. The results showed that among the factors that facilitated migration of the Igbo to Ibadan were their interest to learn a trade, their inability to attain higher education, and having a relative in Ibadan. The types of social networks available showed that social network was not location bound, as all the respondents belonged to town progressive unions and mutual benefits/cooperative associations. Social networks played vital roles in business performance, including social support, access to loan, business growth and expansion. The main challenges to maintaining adequate social network in business were distrust, envy, unbridled competition, dishonesty and inability to keep terms of agreement. The study concludes that social networks have positively influenced the business performance of migrant Igbo in Ibadan. There is need for the Igbo to strengthen their social networks through honesty, forthrightness, and transparency in all their dealings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teruyoshi Kobayashi ◽  
Mathieu Génois

AbstractDensification and sparsification of social networks are attributed to two fundamental mechanisms: a change in the population in the system, and/or a change in the chances that people in the system are connected. In theory, each of these mechanisms generates a distinctive type of densification scaling, but in reality both types are generally mixed. Here, we develop a Bayesian statistical method to identify the extent to which each of these mechanisms is at play at a given point in time, taking the mixed densification scaling as input. We apply the method to networks of face-to-face interactions of individuals and reveal that the main mechanism that causes densification and sparsification occasionally switches, the frequency of which depending on the social context. The proposed method uncovers an inherent regime-switching property of network dynamics, which will provide a new insight into the mechanics behind evolving social interactions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Fakhoury ◽  
Claudine Burton-Jeangros ◽  
Idris Guessous ◽  
Liala Consoli ◽  
Aline Duvoisin ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In Europe, knowledge about the social determinants of health among undocumented migrants is scarce. The canton of Geneva, Switzerland, implemented in 2017–2018 a pilot public policy aiming at regularizing undocumented migrants. We sought to test for associations between self-rated health, proven eligibility for residence status regularization and social and economic integration. Methods This paper reports data from the first wave of the Parchemins Study, a prospective study whose aim is to investigate the effect of residence status regularization on undocumented migrants’ living conditions and health. The convenience sample included undocumented migrants living in Geneva for at least 3 years. We categorized them into those who were in the process of receiving or had just been granted a residence permit (eligible or newly regularized) and those who had not applied or were ineligible for regularization (undocumented). We conducted multivariate regression analyses to determine factors associated with better self-rated health, i.e., with excellent/very good vs. good/fair/poor self-rated health. Among these factors, measures of integration, social support and economic resources were included. Results Of the 437 participants, 202 (46%) belonged to the eligible or newly regularized group. This group reported better health more frequently than the undocumented group (44.6% versus 28.9%, p-value < .001), but the association was no longer significant after adjustment for social support and economic factors (odds ratio (OR): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67–1.87). Overall, better health was associated with larger social networks (OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.04–2.64). This association remained significant even after adjusting for health-related variables. Conclusion At the onset of the regularization program, access to regularization was not associated with better self-rated health. Policies aiming at favouring undocumented migrants’ inclusion and engagement in social networks may promote better health. Future research should investigate long-term effects of residence status regularization on self-rated health.


Diabetologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miranda T. Schram ◽  
Willem J. J. Assendelft ◽  
Theo G. van Tilburg ◽  
Nicole H. T. M. Dukers-Muijrers

AbstractIt has been known for decades that social networks are causally related to disease and mortality risk. However, this field of research and its potential for implementation into diabetes care is still in its infancy. In this narrative review, we aim to address the state-of-the-art of social network research in type 2 diabetes prevention and care. Despite the diverse nature and heterogeneity of social network assessments, we can draw valuable lessons from the available studies. First, the structural network variable ‘living alone’ and the functional network variable ‘lack of social support’ have been associated with increased type 2 diabetes risk. The latter association may be modified by lifestyle risk factors, such as obesity, low level of physical activity and unhealthy diet. Second, smaller network size and less social support is associated with increased risk of diabetes complications, particularly chronic kidney disease and CHD. Third, current evidence shows a beneficial impact of social support on diabetes self-management. In addition, social support interventions were found to have a small, favourable effect on HbA1c values in the short-term. However, harmonisation and more detailed assessment of social network measurements are needed to utilise social network characteristics for more effective prevention and disease management in type 2 diabetes. Graphical abstract


Author(s):  
Monica L. Forret

Networking is often cited as a key to job-search success; however, relatively little scholarly research on networking as a job-search behavior exists. The purpose of this chapter is to review the literature on networking and its relevance for job-search success and career management more broadly. The use of networking for both obtaining new jobs at different employers as well as advancing upward in one’s current organization is considered. This chapter describes the importance of networking for developing career competencies, how networking can enhance a job seeker’s social network, and barriers faced by women and minorities in building their social networks. The multiple ways in which networking has been measured are described, along with the antecedents and outcomes of networking behavior pertinent to job seekers. This chapter discusses the implications of networking as a job-search behavior for job seekers, career counselors, and organizations and concludes with future research suggestions for scholars.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S529-S529
Author(s):  
Daniele Zaccaria ◽  
Georgia Casanova ◽  
Antonio Guaita

Abstract In the last decades the study of older people and social networks has been at the core of gerontology research. The literature underlines the positive health effects of traditional and online social connections and also the social networks’s positive impact on cognitive performance, mental health and quality of life. Aging in a Networked Society is a randomized controlled study aimed at investigating causal impact of traditional face-to-face social networks and online social networks (e.g. Social Network Sites) on older people’ health, cognitive functions and well-being. A social experiment, based on a pre-existing longitudinal study (InveCe - Brain Aging in Abbiategrasso) has involved 180 older people born from 1935 to 1939 living in Abbiategrasso, a municipality near Milan. We analyse effects on health and well-being of smartphones and Facebook use (compared to engagement in a more traditional face-to-face activity), exploiting the research potential of past waves of InveCe study, which collected information concerning physical, cognitive and mental health using international validate scale, blood samples, genetic markers and information on social networks and socio-demographic characteristics of all participants. Results of statistical analysis show that poor social relations and high level of perceived loneliness (measured by Lubben Scale and UCLA Loneliness scale) affect negatively physical and mental outcomes. We also found that gender and marital status mediate the relationship between loneliness and mental wellbeing, while education has not significant effect. Moreover, trial results underline the causal impact of ICT use (smartphones, internet, social network sites) on self-perceived loneliness and cognitive and physical health.


Author(s):  
Mohana Shanmugam ◽  
Yusmadi Yah Jusoh ◽  
Rozi Nor Haizan Nor ◽  
Marzanah A. Jabar

The social network surge has become a mainstream subject of academic study in a myriad of disciplines. This chapter posits the social network literature by highlighting the terminologies of social networks and details the types of tools and methodologies used in prior studies. The list is supplemented by identifying the research gaps for future research of interest to both academics and practitioners. Additionally, the case of Facebook is used to study the elements of a social network analysis. This chapter also highlights past validated models with regards to social networks which are deemed significant for online social network studies. Furthermore, this chapter seeks to enlighten our knowledge on social network analysis and tap into the social network capabilities.


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