What can reverse causation tell us about demographic differences in the social network and social support determinants of self-rated health in later life?

Increasingly, policymakers assume that informal networks will provide care for frail older people. While the literature has mainly discussed the role of the family, broader social networks are also considered to be important. However, these social networks can diminish in later life. This systematic review investigates whether the social environment increases the risk of frailty or helps to prevent it. Findings from 15 original studies were classified using five different factors, which denoted five dimensions of the social environment: (a) social networks, (b) social support, (c) social participation, (d) subjective neighborhood experience, and (e) socioeconomic neighborhood characteristics. The discussion highlights that the social environment and frailty are indeed related, and how the neighborhood dimensions and social participation had more consistent results than social support and social networks. Conclusively, recommendations are formulated to contemplate all dimensions of the social environment for further research examining frailty and community care.

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SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FOURTH AGE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2564 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S696-S697

Author(s):

John Pothen ◽

Emily C Dore ◽

Ellen Idler

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Human Dignity ◽

Oldest Old ◽

Later Life ◽

Population Based ◽

Social Characteristics ◽

The Third ◽

The Social ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Network Patterns

Abstract How can we differentiate distinct phases of aging in later life? Theorizations of the third and fourth age posit that later life often involves a time of continued growth and increased opportunity (the “third age”) as well as a time marked by growing cognitive, physical, and social losses (the “fourth age”). In contrast to population-based definitions that place this transition around the age of 80, a person-based definition using frailty as a marker offers more sensitivity by focusing on ability and agency instead of age alone. In this study, we apply both definitions in order to examine the social characteristics of the fourth age. Using a nationally representative sample of adults over the age of 65 from from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) seventh round (n=6,312) we find that the population-based definition overestimates the number of adults in the fourth age (2,834 vs 569; p<0.001). Additionally, social network patterns observed when comparing adults above and below the age of 80 - increased rates of including a daughter or son and a decreased rate of including a friend - are not seen when comparing adults who do and do not meet criteria for frailty. Our findings suggest that common understandings of the social characteristics of the oldest old - understandings with important implications for policy and the promotion of human dignity - may be biased by focusing on age alone as a marker of change instead of ability and agency.

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The social network index and its relation to later-life depression among the elderly aged ≥80 years in Northern Thailand

Clinical Interventions in Aging ◽

10.2147/cia.s108974 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol Volume 11 ◽

pp. 1067-1074 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Myo Nyein Aung ◽

Saiyud Moolphate ◽

Thin Nyein Nyein Aung ◽

Chitima Kantonyoo ◽

Songyos Khamchai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Later Life ◽

The Elderly ◽

Northern Thailand ◽

The Social

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INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL SUPPORT AND COGNITION AS MEDIATED BY HEALTH AND POSITIVE AFFECT

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.2407 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S648-S648

Author(s):

Francesca Falzarano ◽

Karen L Siedlecki ◽

Timothy Salthouse

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Social Networks ◽

Social Network ◽

Positive Affect ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Cognitive Aging ◽

Successful Aging ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Decreased social networks are common in old age after major life events such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and declining health (Shankar et al., 2013). Diminished social ties are associated with increased feelings of loneliness and perceived isolation, which can have negative effects on cognition and physical health. The current study examines the relationship between social support (assessed via the Social Network Questionnaire) and overall cognitive performance (assessed as a latent construct comprising indicators that represent mean verbal episodic memory, processing speed, reasoning, and spatial visualization), and investigates positive affect and self-rated health as mediators of this relationship. The current study included 5,125 participants between the ages of 18-99 years from the Virginia Cognitive Aging Project (VCAP). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using structural equation modeling. After controlling for age and education, results showed that a social support construct (comprising indicators representing each social network subscale) significantly and positively predicted cognitive performance (.59, p< .001). This relationship was reduced to .22 (p <.001) when positive affect was included as a mediator, and to .14 (p< .001) when self-rated health was included as a mediator. When the variables were included in a joint mediation model the relationship between social support and cognition was .20 (p < .001). Thus, health and positive affect are partial mediators of the relationship between social support and cognition and may help explain the relationship between social support and cognition. Furthermore, these findings provide additional evidence that social networks may play an important role in successful aging.

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Social network properties and self-rated health in later life: comparisons from the Korean social life, health, and aging project and the national social life, health and aging project

BMC Geriatrics ◽

10.1186/1471-2318-14-102 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Yoosik Youm ◽

Edward O Laumann ◽

Kenneth F Ferraro ◽

Linda J Waite ◽

Hyeon Chang Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Social Life ◽

Later Life ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Network Properties

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

Journal of Applied Gerontology ◽

10.1177/0733464816642584 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (8) ◽

pp. 990-1011 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

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.

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

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x15000811 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (9) ◽

pp. 1915-1936 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

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.

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