An Association between Social Networks of Closed Triads and Physical Health among Korea‘s Living-Alone Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-35
Author(s):  
Minseong Kim ◽  
Dasol Park ◽  
Jihyeong Yoo ◽  
Yoosik Youm
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Living Alone

scholarly journals Association of Eating Alone With Depression Among Older Adults Living Alone: Role of Poor Social Networks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryota Sakurai ◽  
Hisashi Kawai ◽  
Hiroyuki Suzuki ◽  
Hunkyung Kim ◽  
Yutaka Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Living Alone

scholarly journals Is Living Alone “Aging Alone”? Solitary Living, Network Types, and Well-Being

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 1406-1415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Djundeva ◽  
Pearl A Dykstra ◽  
Tineke Fokkema
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Country Level

Abstract Objectives When identifying older adults who may be at risk of being without necessary supports, policy makers and scholars tend to focus on those living alone, neglecting differences within that group. We examine how their social networks contribute to subjective well-being, why some of them fare better and compare their well-being to older adults coresiding with others. Method Data are from the fourth wave of the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (N = 53,383). A network typology for older people living alone (N = 10,047) is constructed using a latent class analysis. Using ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions, we examined differences in subjective well-being (life satisfaction, satisfaction with social network, depression) by network type, adding adults coresiding with others (N = 43,336) as comparison group. Results We find four social network types among older adults living alone. The likelihood of having “restricted” and “child-based” networks is greater in Eastern and Southern European countries, whereas the likelihood of having “friend-oriented” networks is greater in Western and Northern European countries. Across countries, only those with “restricted” networks tend to have the poorest well-being. Those with “diverse” networks have even better well-being than coresiding older adults. Discussion Our study shows the importance of drawing distinctions within the group of older adults living alone. Most (two thirds) are not vulnerable and at risk, but fare just as well or even better than peers who coreside with others. Country-level factors shape the opportunities to build satisfactory networks, but subjective well-being depends more strongly on individual resources, including social networks, than country-level factors.

scholarly journals Loneliness during Covid-19: Does Living Situation or Ability to Access Information about Social Activities Matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 951-952
Author(s):  
Patti Parker ◽  
Verena Menec ◽  
Nancy Newall
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Social Activities ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Living Situation ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Difficult Time ◽  
Access Information ◽  
Mental And Physical Health

Abstract Social isolation is deleterious for both mental and physical health (Coyle & Dugan, 2012; Hawkley et al., 2006). Conversely, social participation has mental and physical health benefits (Novek et al., 2013). In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic requiring social distancing, the present study examined whether living situation and ability to access information about social activities are associated with older adults’ loneliness during the pandemic. Specifically, we surveyed ninety-one adults aged 60 years or older in May and June of 2020, at a time when social distancing measures were still in place. We tested whether their living situation and having access to information about social activities was associated with loneliness. OLS regression analyses revealed living alone was associated with higher loneliness (b = .43, p = .050); and having access to information about social activities was associated with lower loneliness (b = -.18, p = .027) amidst the pandemic. The analyses controlled for participants’ age, gender, and education. Our findings highlight that during Covid-19, older adults’ living situation and access to information about social activities matter and may impact their social behavior. Thus, at this difficult time, it is recommended organizations that offer social activities find creative ways to reach those living alone who will benefit most from having access to such activities.

scholarly journals THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL NETWORK ON RESILIENCE OF COMMUNITY-DWELLING OLDER ADULTS LIVING ALONE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S907-S908
Author(s):  
Sangmi Park ◽  
Tae Hui Kim ◽  
Soyeon Choi ◽  
Kyuwon Lee ◽  
Jisoo Jung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Older People ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Emotional Status

Abstract Resilience is one of the components for successful aging and is related to wellbeing in late life. Studies have shown that older people living alone have low resilience. However, most of these studies were mainly conducted on unhealthy participants. The aim of this study is to examine the factors that contribute to resilience of healthy older adults living alone. Older people living alone who are not subject to public health care service provided to the economically or physically challenged or depressed people were recruited. Data collected from 295 participants were used to conduct hierarchical multiple regression analyses, controlling demographic characteristics, level of cognitive and physical functions, and emotional status. A self-reported questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale(LSNS), and Multidimensional Individual and Interpersonal Resilience Measure(MIIRM) were used to measure study variables. A hierarchical model accounted for 48.8% of the variance in resilience. In model 1(demographics), the religion(β=.178, p<.001) and the perceived economic status(β=-.176, p<.001) variables were significantly related to resilience. The subjective health(β=-.109, p=.038) in model 2(level of function) and the loneliness(β=-.379, p<.001) in model 3(emotional status) had a significant effect on resilience. In model 4, the size(β=-.115, p=.029) and the frequency(β=.160, p=.003) of social networks significantly predicted resilience. The results showed that protecting older adults’ social networks could lead to promote their health and wellbeing. What can be inferred from this finding is that even though the members are small, the social network they often have contact with is important for the resilience of older adults living alone.

scholarly journals Living alone, social networks in neighbourhoods, and daily fruit and vegetable consumption among middle-aged and older adults in the USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 3315-3323
Author(s):  
Yeon Jin Choi ◽  
Jennifer A Ailshire ◽  
Eileen M Crimmins
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Fruit And Vegetable

AbstractObjective:A social network is a valuable resource in later life. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate whether social networks within homes and neighbourhoods are associated with older adults’ daily fruit and vegetable consumption.Design:Cross-sectional secondary data analysis.Setting:USA.Participants:A nationally representative sample of 6865 community-dwelling older adults over age 53 in the Health and Retirement Study – Health Care and Nutrition Survey.Results:Older adults who lived alone with no children or friends nearby had the lowest fruit and vegetable consumption. However, the daily fruit and vegetable consumption of respondents who lived alone and had children or friends nearby or those who lived with someone and had no children or friends nearby was not statistically different from those who lived with someone and had children or friends nearby. This suggests that having a social network either at home or in the neighbourhood complements the absence of living with someone or having children or friends nearby and attenuates the negative association between limited social networks and daily fruit and vegetable consumption. A greater decrease in the number of fruits and vegetables consumed was observed among men when they lived alone with no children or friends nearby.Conclusions:Special attention should be given to older adults with limited social networks, especially older adults living alone with no children or friends nearby. Provision of help with grocery shopping and meal preparation as well as social support networks and more opportunities that can improve social engagement appear to be necessary.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document