Personal networks and mortality in later life: racial and ethnic differences

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam R Roth
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Differences ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
All Cause Mortality

ABSTRACT Background Social network characteristics are associated with health outcomes in later life, including mortality. Moreover, there are well-established mortality disparities across race and ethnicity. Although previous studies have documented these associations separately, limited research considers the two in tandem. The present study addressed how the associations between social network characteristics and mortality differ across race and ethnicity in later life. Methods Data were from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. At baseline, 3005 respondents were interviewed with regards to their health and social networks. Five years later, 430 respondents had died. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of all-cause mortality over the study period. Results Network size and kin composition were negatively associated with mortality, whereas density was positively associated with mortality. There was a stronger negative association between the kin composition and mortality for Hispanic respondents compared with white and black respondents. Conclusion The present study contributes to the large literature documenting the link between social networks and health by highlighting the importance of analyzing networks through a sociocultural lens.

scholarly journals EXPANDING SOCIAL TIES AS A GOAL IN LATER LIFE: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S175-S175
Author(s):  
Danielle Oleskiewicz ◽  
Karen Rook
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Network Composition

Abstract Older adults often winnow their social ties to focus on emotionally rewarding ties (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). Some older adults, however, have small social networks that preclude much winnowing or aversive social ties from which disengagement is difficult. These individuals might be motivated to expand, rather than contract, their social ties. The current study sought to extend knowledge regarding potential links between social network characteristics and older adults’ interest, effort, and success in creating new social ties. We expected that small social networks and negative social ties might motivate interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties but that positive social ties might foster success in efforts to form new ties. In-person interviews were conducted with participants (N = 351, Mean age = 74.16) in a larger study of older adults’ social networks and well-being. The interviews assessed participants’ social networks, as well as their interest, effort, and success in making new social ties. Participants’ social network composition, rather than size, was associated with greater motivation to establish new social ties. Negative social ties were associated with greater interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties. Positive social ties were related to greater success (due, in part, to their support provision) and, unexpectedly, were also related to greater interest and effort directed toward forming new ties. Older adults sometimes seek to expand, rather than contract, their social ties, and characteristics of their social networks appear to play a role in fueling and influencing the success of such efforts.

Who Belongs to Me? Social Relationship and Personality Characteristics in the Transition to Young Adulthood

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 586-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Wagner ◽  
Oliver Lüdtke ◽  
Brent W. Roberts ◽  
Ulrich Trautwein
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Social Relationship ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Big Five Personality ◽  
Personality Psychology ◽  
Emotional Closeness ◽  
Network Characteristics

Not much is known about how social network characteristics change in the transition out of school and what role Big Five personality plays in this context. The aim of this paper was twofold. First, we explored changes in social network and relationship characteristics across the transition out of secondary school. Second, we examined within–person and between–person effects of personality on these social network changes. Results based on a series of multilevel models to a longitudinal sample of 2287 young adults revealed four main findings. First, social networks increased in size, and this increase was mainly due to a larger number of nonkin. Stable social networks during the transition consisted mainly of family ties but were generally characterized by high closeness. Second, extraversion and openness consistently predicted network size, whereas agreeableness predicted network overlap. Third, increases in emotional closeness were found only for kin; closeness was generally lower for unstable relationships. Fourth, changes in emotional closeness were related to personality, particularly neuroticism, agreeableness, and conscientiousness for stable relationships; for unstable relationships, however, closeness was related to extraversion and openness. The article concludes by discussing the role of personality for social relationship development and the active moulding of social networks in young adulthood. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Personality Psychology

scholarly journals TYPES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH MOBILITY AND DISABILITY IN LATE LIFE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S178-S179
Author(s):  
Talha Ali ◽  
Michael Elliott ◽  
Toni C Antonucci ◽  
Belinda Needham ◽  
Jonathan Zelner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Functional Health ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Primary Analysis ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Representative Study

Abstract Social networks are critical in maintaining late-life functional health, but, previous studies have focused on isolated dimensions of social networks. We examined whether network types, representing multiple interrelated network characteristics, are associated with mobility and disability among older adults in America. Data are from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative study of 3,005 adults aged 57-85 years at baseline (2005-2006). In a previous analysis, five social network types were derived at baseline, based on nine observed network characteristics. Functional outcomes were examined during two follow-up waves in 2010-2011 and 2015-2016. Mobility-related function was assessed as the time (in seconds) to complete a 6-meter walk. Disability was defined as experiencing any difficulty in performing one of six activities of daily living (ADLs). We estimated the effect of network types on risk of ADL disability onset using logistic regression, and on mobility using generalized linear mixed models. Social network type was associated with mobility over time, such that older adults in the “restricted” network had significantly slower walking times than those in the “diverse” network. There was no association between network types and risk of disability onset in the primary analysis. However, sensitivity analyses showed a protective effect of the “partner-centered” network on a 5-year, but not a 10-year, risk of disability onset. Network types can elucidate older adults’ varied interpersonal and caregiving networks, and identify adults at risk of being socially isolated. However, the utility of network types in predicting late-life functional health may be limited.

Association between social network characteristics and depressive symptoms in South Korean adults: The moderating roles of age diversity and age difference

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ye Jin Jeon ◽  
Sun Wook Jung ◽  
Ji Eun Heo ◽  
Yoosik Youm ◽  
Hyeon Chang Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Age Diversity

Abstract Background: This study aimed to examine the association between size and intimacy of social networks and substantial depressive symptoms, and further, to assess the moderating roles of age diversity and age difference in these linkages, in the community-dwelling adult population in South Korea.Methods: A South Korean population of 2,363 in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center cohort was utilized. Each participant’s social network characteristics were measured using the egocentric social network analysis tool. Substantial depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Multivariable logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) for substantial depressive symptoms by different social network characteristics.Results: Mean perceived intimacy of social networks had an inverse association with substantial depressive symptoms; Overall, the size of social networks had a negative association with depressive symptoms. In women, age diversity and age difference had moderation effects on the association of network size and intimacy with substantial depressive symptoms. The association of network size and intimacy with substantial depressive symptoms was stronger than women’s average (OR=3.23; 95% CI=1.91-5.47) when social networks had a higher age diversity (OR=4.95; 2.32-10.51) and higher age differences (OR=5.38; 2.22-13.05).Limitations: Substantial Depressive symptoms were measured according to self-assessed levels of depressive symptoms during the previous two weeks, which do not necessarily indicate depressive disorder. Categorization of certain variables was made considering the distribution, but not with the actual critical known cut-off.Conclusions: We found that low social network size and intimacy were linearly associated with substantial depressive symptoms in women. Women whose networks are small-sized, less intimate, and with high age diversity and age difference, especially with older persons are more likely to have depressive symptoms in South Korean settings.Trial registration: KCT0001038, Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS)

scholarly journals Social Networks in Later Life: Similarities and Differences between Sexual-Minority and Heterosexual Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 237802312097773
Author(s):  
Ning Hsieh ◽  
Jaclyn S. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Friend Support ◽  
Community Based Research ◽  
Size Frequency ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
And Bisexual

Community-based research suggests that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older adults are more socially isolated than their heterosexual counterparts. However, little is known about how social networks in late adulthood differ between LGB and heterosexual people at the population level. Using data from the 2015–2016 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project ( n = 3,929), the authors compare the size, frequency of contact, composition, diversity, and density of core discussion networks as well as family and friend support across sexual-orientation groups. The authors find that LGB people share a few network characteristics with their heterosexual counterparts, including network size, frequency of contact with network members, and proportion of nonspousal kin members in the network. However, their networks are less likely to include intimate partners, are more likely to include friends, and have lower diversity and density. LGB people also report lower family support but higher friend support than heterosexual people.

scholarly journals Active ageing in Europe: are changes in social capital associated with engagement, initiation and maintenance of activity in later life?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Pryanka Boerio ◽  
Emma Garavaglia ◽  
Alessandra Gaia
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
Care Giving ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Charity Work

Abstract The demographic landscape of European countries is rapidly changing because of population ageing; in this context, societies are called to offer older people opportunities to age actively. Although ‘active ageing’ has been broadly explored, there is still room to further our knowledge on the individual conditions that may favour or hinder activity in later life. This study aims to contribute to the literature in this field by focusing on the role of social capital. Specifically, it explores, through logistic regression models, how social capital and changes in social capital are associated with engagement in, the initiation of and continued participation in various domains of activity: volunteering and charity work, active participation in political or community-related organisations, informal care-giving and paid work. The data analysed stem from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). We focused on people aged 55+ participating in Waves 4–6. The key findings are: (a) having a larger social network is positively associated with participation in and the initiation of activities; (b) receiving social support (rarely) may stimulate reciprocity and thus care-giving; and (c) an increase in social network size is positively associated with initiation and maintenance of activities during later life.

scholarly journals Social network change after moving into permanent supportive housing: Who stays and who goes?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Harmony Rhoades ◽  
Hsun-ta Hsu ◽  
Eric Rice ◽  
Taylor Harris ◽  
Wichada La Motte-Kerr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Supportive Housing ◽  
Network Member ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Permanent Supportive Housing ◽  
Network Change

Abstract Social relationships are important among persons experiencing homelessness, but there is little research on changes in social networks among persons moving into permanent supportive housing (PSH). Using data collected as part of a longitudinal study of 405 adults (aged 39+) moving into PSH, this study describes network upheaval during this critical time of transition. Interviews conducted prior to and after three months of living in PSH assessed individual-level (demographics, homelessness history, health, and mental health) and social network characteristics, including network size and composition (demographics, relationship type, and social support). Interviewers utilized network member characteristics to assess whether network members were new or sustained between baseline and three months post-housing. Multilevel logistic regression models assessed characteristics of network members associated with being newly gained or persisting in networks three months after PSH move-in. Results show only one-third of social networks were retained during the transition to PSH, and veterans, African Americans, and other racial/ethnic minorities, and those living in scattered site housing, were more likely to experience network disruption. Relatives, romantic partners, and service providers were most likely to be retained after move-in. Some network change was moderated by tie strength, including the retention of street-met persons. Implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Social Network Characteristics and Smoking Index Among Smoking Cessation Outpatients in Kunming’s Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals in China: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Zeng ◽  
Li Ai ◽  
Yang Yuan ◽  
Yu Cao ◽  
Ke-Li Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Network Member ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals ◽  
Smoking Index

Abstract IntroductionThe success rate of smoking cessation outpatients remains modest. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of social networks for quitting smoking, yet there is a substantial lack of studies examining participants in outpatient smoking cessation programs, especially regarding their smoking index.AimWe aimed to identify the associations between the social network characteristics of smoking cessation outpatients and their smoking indexes. The association was analyzed with participants in Grade-A Tertiary Hospitals in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in China.MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kunming in six randomly sampled Grade-A tertiary hospitals. Participants included 351 smoking cessation outpatients who provided data on cigarette smoking and social networks. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between social network characteristics and smoking index across outpatients. Strong associations were identified using adjusted odds ratios and a 95% confidence interval.ResultsLarge network size (AOR=1.79, 95%CI=0.99, 3.86), having children (AOR = 6.35, 95%CI = 2.26, 19.86), and at least one highly influential person in the network (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI =1.13, 7.01)were all associated with the risk of a high smoking index. However, having drinking friends (AOR = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.14, 0.56), non-smoking and non-drinking friends in the network (AOR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21, 0.88), and a network member who provided health advice (AOR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.11, 1.35) were associated with a lower risk of a high smoking index.The results were sustained even after adjusting for demographic details.ConclusionsThe study findings suggest the importance of social network characteristics for smoking cessation physicians when formulating a personalized smoking cessation plan for outpatients.

scholarly journals Associations of Quality, Quantity, and Structural Characteristics of Individual Social Network on Depressive Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Eun Heo ◽  
Sun Wook Jung ◽  
Yoosik Youm ◽  
Hyeon Chang Kim ◽  
Sun Jae Jung
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Disease Etiology ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Age Diversity ◽  
High Age

Abstract Background This study explores the association between the size and intimacy of an individual’s social network with depressive symptoms, considering age diversity and age difference in the general adult population in South Korea. Methods We utilized data from a population of 2,363 in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Etiology Research Center cohort. Each participant’s social network properties and social support status were measured using the egocentric social network analysis tool. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) for depression by different social network characteristics. Results Overall, network size and mean intimacy were both associated with depressive symptoms; however, the combination of the two showed different association patterns with depressive symptoms by gender. Compared to those with both a larger network size and higher average intimacy in the network, only women showed significantly increased ORs for depression with decreases in either the size or the intimacy of the network. This tendency was prominent in women whose social networks had high age diversity or members mainly older than themselves. Limitations Depressive symptoms were measured according to self-assessed levels of depressive symptoms during the previous two weeks, which do not necessarily indicate depressive disorder. Conclusion The social network characteristics of size and intimacy associated differently with depressive symptoms by gender. In women whose social networks had high age diversity, smaller-sized and less intimate networks increased the likelihood of depression.

Social networks and service use among representative cases of psychosis in South London

1997 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Becker ◽  
Graham Thornicroft ◽  
Morven Leese ◽  
Paul McCrone ◽  
Sonia Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Network Size ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Social Network Size ◽  
The Social ◽  
One Year ◽  
Prospective Controlled Study

BackgroundLarge social networks in patients with severe mental illness have been reported to be associated with a low rate of hospitalisation. We aim to determine whether social network size is related to the likelihood of hospitalisation and the amount of service use.MethodAs part of a prospective controlled study, baseline interview data for a random sample of one-year prevalent cases with non-organic psychosis were analysed with respect to social network characteristics and service use during a six-month period.ResultsThe likelihood of hospitalisation decreased with an increase in network size, while the number of services used by patients grew as the social network size increased.ConclusionsWhile larger social networks may be associated with a lower likelihood of hospitalisation, they may also be related to wider use of non-hospital services.

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