The Influence of Social Networks and Social Support on Health Among Older Koreans at High Risk of Depression

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haesang Jeon ◽  
Yeonseung Chung ◽  
Soondool Chung ◽  
Ahyoung Song
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
High Risk ◽  
General Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Family Networks ◽  
Network Support ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Using Data

Background: Despite compelling evidence showing that social networks and social support are associated with depression, relatively little research is available on this topic for older Koreans at high risk of depression. This article aimed to examine the relationship among different types of social networks (family vs. friends), social support (instrumental vs. emotional), and perceived general health among older Koreans at high risk of depression. We would then test for possible differences in pathways between two age groups (60–74 years vs. 75 years and older).Methods: Using data from the 2008 Survey of Elderly Life and Welfare Need, age 60–74 years (n = 2,815) and age 75 years and older (n = 1,784) were analyzed separately. Path analyses were used to examine the relationships among social network, support, and health among Korean older adults at high risk of depression.Results: Findings highlighted the complex associations among social networks, social support, and perceived general health within old age. Moreover, this study called attention to the negative association between instrumental support from family networks and perceived general health among older Koreans aged 60–74 years at high risk of depression.Conclusions: The work discussed in this article would help inform the design of much needed and effective social intervention programs for the growing number of Korean older adults with depression.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Multiple Sensory Deficits in Older Adults in BLSA and ARIC Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 804-805
Author(s):  
Nicole Armstrong ◽  
Jennifer Deal ◽  
Hang Wang ◽  
Jennifer Schrack ◽  
Qu Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽  
Sensory Deficits ◽  
Olfactory Loss ◽  
Atherosclerosis Risk ◽  
Baltimore Longitudinal Study ◽  
Using Data

Abstract Individual sensory deficits have been associated with adverse outcomes, including dementia, in older adults. Using data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) (N=259) and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC) (N=962), we examined the prevalence of one, two, or three sensory deficits (hearing, vision, and olfaction) among older adults ≥70 years. Any hearing loss was the most prevalent sensory deficit (70-79 year-olds: 41.3% [BLSA] and 51.2% [ARIC]; ≥80 year-olds: 82.6% [BLSA] and 74.2% [ARIC]), followed by vision loss and olfactory loss. Hearing and vision impairments were more prevalent than hearing and olfactory losses as well as vision and olfactory losses in both age groups and studies There were few people with deficits in all three senses (70-79 year-olds: 3.3% [BLSA] and 2.0% [ARIC]; ≥80 year-olds: 5.8% [BLSA] and 7.4% [ARIC]). Further research should investigate the potential impact of multisensory impairments on older adults.

The Influence of Social Networks and Supports on Depression Symptoms: Differential Pathways for Older Korean Immigrants and Non-Hispanic White Americans

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haesang Jeon ◽  
James Lubben
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
The United States ◽  
Korean Immigrants ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Older Korean Immigrants ◽  
Hispanic White

Objectives: The current cross-cultural study examines the pathways underlying different formations of social networks and social support systems, which affect depression symptoms among older Korean immigrants and non-Hispanic Whites in the United States.Method: Data for this study came from a panel survey of 223 older Korean American immigrants and 201 non-Hispanic White older adults 65 years of age and older living in Los Angeles. Structural equation modeling (SEM) is used to test the proposed conceptual model designed to explain the direct and indirect relationships between social networks and social support on depression symptoms.Results: Empirical evidence from this study indicated different effect of one’s social networks and social support on depression by race/ethnicity.Discussion: The work discussed in this article pointed to the need to recognize the role of culture in assessing the relationships between social networks, social support, and health among older adults.

scholarly journals INTERNET USE AND LONELINESS: CURE OR CAUSE? LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF OLDER ADULTS’ INTERNET USE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S14-S14
Author(s):  
Elena Hees ◽  
Clemens Tesch-Römer ◽  
Oliver Huxhold
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Using Data ◽  
German Ageing Survey ◽  
Two Age Groups

Abstract The internet provides an indispensable platform for social interaction, entertainment and everyday tasks. Especially older adults might benefit from staying engaged online to counteract loneliness. Yet, current research on how internet use effects loneliness still paints a contradictory picture. The current study investigates the longitudinal influence of social internet use forms as opposed to general internet use on loneliness across three years (2014-2017) separately in two age groups (pre-retirement: 40-64 years and post-retirement: 65-85 years), using data from the German Ageing Survey (DEAS). Structural equation modelling shows, that general web use predicts an increase in loneliness in both age-groups. However, contacting friends and family online seems to protect against loneliness over and above the effect of overall internet use, at least for the younger age-group. Therefore, the current study underlines the importance of investigating what exactly people do online instead of seeing the internet as a homogenous tool.

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
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Grandparent Caregivers ◽  
New Information ◽  
Multiple Challenges ◽  
Using Data

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.

scholarly journals A CROSS-NATIONAL COMPARISON OF THE SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORKS OF OLDER MEN AND WOMEN WHO LACK TRADITIONAL FAMILY TIES

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S564-S564
Author(s):  
Christine Mair ◽  
Kasey Knopp
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Traditional Family ◽  
The Social ◽  
Older Men And Women ◽  
Cross National

Abstract Existing literature on “aging alone” focuses on potential lack of support to “kinless” older adults who do not have traditional family ties (e.g., child, spouse; Margolis & Verdery, 2018), as well as the ways in which childless or unpartnered older adults may construct non-kin networks of support (e.g., friendship; Djundeva et al., 2018; Mair, 2019). In addition, older men’s and women’s social networks vary, with women reporting more network growth than men and potentially lower family involvement (Schwartz & Litwin, 2018). Finally, patterns of support (e.g., family care, friend interactions) differ by country context. However, it is unknown if and how the social networks of older adults who lack traditional family ties may differ by gender, as well as what forms of cross-national variation exist in these patterns. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE, N=17 nations, N=53,247 adults aged 50+), we take advantage of a unique social support network module in this cross-national dataset to compare closeness, proximity, quality, and type of ties by gender among older childless and unpartnered men and women by country. Among those without traditional family ties, we find that older women may be advantaged in terms of social support compared to older men, but that this advantage varies by nation. We discuss the details and implications of these results regarding potential policy implications about the differential risks faced by older men and women who lack traditional family ties in various country contexts.

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 Mental Health and Social Connectedness Across the Adult Lifespan in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Madeline A. Gregory ◽  
Nicole K. Legg ◽  
Zachary Senay ◽  
Jamie-Lee Barden ◽  
Peter Phiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Adult Age

Abstract The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound consequences on collective mental health and well-being, and yet, older adults appear better off than younger adults. The current study examined mental health impacts of the pandemic across adult age groups in a large sample (n = 5,320) of Canadians using multiple hierarchical regression analyses. Results suggest older adults are experiencing better mental health and more social connectedness relative to younger adults. Loneliness predicted negative mental health outcomes across all age groups, while the negative association between social support and mental health was only significant at average and high levels of loneliness in the 65–69 age group. Results point towards differential mental health impacts of the pandemic across adult age groups and indicate that loneliness and social support may be key intervention targets during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should further examine mechanisms of resiliency among older Canadian adults during the pandemic.

scholarly journals Travel Related Risk Behaviors and Antibiotic Use among Older Travelers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Varea H Costello ◽  
David Tribble ◽  
Christa Eickhoff ◽  
D Hamilton Tilley ◽  
Gregory Utz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviors ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Febrile Illness ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
United States Department ◽  
High Risk Behaviors ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Active Duty Personnel

Abstract Background Antibiotic stewardship in the pre-travel care of older adults is important to effectively treat infections while minimizing harm from side effects and unnecessary antibiotic use. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics, risk behaviors, infectious diseases and antibiotic use between older (≥ 60 years) and younger (18-59 years) travelers. Methods TravMil is a prospective, observational cohort of United States Department of Defense beneficiaries traveling outside the continental US for ≤ 6.5 months. For this analysis, we included adults enrolled pre-travel between January 2010–August 2018 and excluded active duty personnel on deployment. Pre- and post-travel surveys captured trip characteristics, exposures, illnesses, and antibiotic use. Results 1742 travelers were analyzed: 747 (42.9%) were ≥ 60 years and 995 (57.1%) were 18-59 years. Older travelers were less likely to engage in high-risk dietary behaviors and experience travelers’ diarrhea than younger travelers (18.2% vs 22.9%; p<0.05). Influenza-like illnesses (12.5%) and febrile illness (3.4%) occurred less frequently in the older cohort. Antibiotic use for self treatment was common in both age groups (25.7% vs. 26.7%) and often inappropriate e.g. for treatment of occasional loose stool or mild travelers’ diarrhea (older adults 67.0% [67/100] vs. younger adults 57.6% [83/144]; p <0.05), and influenza-like illnesses (63.4% [64/101] vs. 58.6% [68/116]; p<0.05). Conclusions Older travelers were less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors and experience travelers’ diarrhea, and both age groups experienced mild, self-limited infections. Inappropriate use of antibiotics was common, suggesting that antimicrobial stewardship should be emphasized at pre-travel counseling with international travelers.

scholarly journals Physical and Mental Health Differences Reported by Three Age Groups of Older Adults With Diabetes

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 233372142110558
Author(s):  
Jungjoo Lee ◽  
Junhyung Kim ◽  
Richard Holden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Univariate Analyses

Most studies have classified older adults with diabetes into one group despite substantial variation in health status across different stages of late adulthood. In this study, we examined difference in self-reported physical and mental health among three age groups of older adults with diabetes. Using data from the 2016 National Social Life, Health and Aging Project, Wave 3, we classified 424 individuals diagnosed with diabetes into three age groups, young-old (YO): 50–64 years; middle-old (MO): 65–74; and oldest old (OO): 75+ years. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance was used to assess group differences, followed by univariate analyses. The results indicate that the YO group reported significantly lower physical health and higher depression than the MO group and higher levels of loneliness than the MO and OO groups. These findings indicate that physical and mental health may differ among different age groups of older adults with diabetes and suggest that the YO might be more vulnerable to diminished physical and mental health than the other age groups.

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