Social networks and social support among older people and implications for emotional well-being and psychiatric morbidity

1994 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Bowling
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Well Being

scholarly journals IMPACT OF OFFLINE AND ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS ON LONELINESS AND MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ITALIAN OLDER PEOPLE

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S529-S529
Author(s):  
Daniele Zaccaria ◽  
Georgia Casanova ◽  
Antonio Guaita
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Older People ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Causal Impact

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.

Safe but isolated – an interview study with Iraqi refugees in Sweden about social networks, social support, and mental health

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402095425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Sundvall ◽  
David Titelman ◽  
Valerie DeMarinis ◽  
Liubov Borisova ◽  
Önver Çetrez
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Iraqi Refugees ◽  
Structured Interviews

Background: Problems with social networks and social support are known to be associated with mental ill-health in refugees. Social support after migration promotes resilience. Aim: To study how Iraqi refugees who arrived in Sweden after the year 2000 perceived their social networks and social support, and to relate the observed network characteristics and changes to the refugees’ mental health and well-being. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 31 refugees, including questions on background and migration experiences, a biographical network map, and three health assessment scales. The findings were analysed with descriptive statistics and content thematic analysis. Results: The respondents’ networks were diminished. Social support was continued to be provided mainly by family members and supplemented by support from authorities. The main themes of the refugee experience of post-migration challenges were weakened social networks, barriers to integration and challenges to cultural and religious belonging. Failed reunion and worrying about relatives was described as particularly painful. Negative contacts with authority persons were often seen as humiliating or discriminating. Acquiring a new cultural belonging was described as challenging. At the same time, changing family and gender roles made it more difficult to preserve and develop the culture of origin. Traumatic experiences and mental health problems were common in this group. Family issues were more often than integration difficulties associated with mental health problems. Conclusion: In order to strengthen post-migration well-being and adaptation, authorities should support the refugees’ social networks. Clinicians need to address post-migration problems and challenges, including the meaning and function of social networks.

Social support, perceived well-being and internet social networks

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rocío Guil ◽  
Silvia González ◽  
Cristina Guerrero ◽  
Antonio Zayas ◽  
Paloma Gil-Olarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Well Being

The Effects of Types of Social Networks, Perceived Social Support, and Loneliness on the Health of Older People

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 887-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Stephens ◽  
Fiona Alpass ◽  
Andy Towers ◽  
Brendan Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Older People ◽  
Perceived Social Support

scholarly journals Personal Social Networks of Community-Dwelling Oldest Old During the Covid-19 Pandemic—A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Kulmala ◽  
Elisa Tiilikainen ◽  
Inna Lisko ◽  
Tiia Ngandu ◽  
Miia Kivipelto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Personal Networks ◽  
Social Contacts ◽  
Personal Social Networks

The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have affected the everyday life of older people. Advanced age is a significant predisposing factor for a more severe COVID-19 infection, increasing the risk for hospitalization and mortality. Even though restrictions have been, thus, well-grounded, they may also have had detrimental effects on the social well-being of older people. Personal networks and social activity are known protective factors against the premature decline in health and functioning, and it is widely acknowledged that social isolation increases feelings of loneliness, poor quality of life, and even the risk for diseases and disabilities among older adults. This qualitative study investigated changes in personal networks among community-dwelling oldest-old individuals (persons aged 80 and over) during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland. The data is part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia (CAIDE85+) study, which is an ongoing large longitudinal population-based study in Finland. In this qualitative sub-study, we analyzed fifteen in-depth telephone interviews using directed content analyses and identified five types of changes in personal social networks during the pandemic. In type 1, all social contacts were significantly reduced due to official recommendations and fear of the virus. Type 2 included modified ways of being socially active i.e., by deploying new technology, and in type 3, social contacts increased during the lockdown. In type 4, personal social networks were changed unexpectedly or dramatically due to a death of a spouse, for example. In type 5, we observed stable social networks, which had not been affected by the pandemic. At an individual level, one person could have had different types of changes during the pandemic. These results highlight the heterogeneity of the oldest olds' personal social networks and changes related to them during the exceptional times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social activity and personal networks play an important role in the well-being of the oldest old, but individual situations, needs, and preferences toward personal social networks should be taken into account when planning social activities, policies, and interventions.

The effect of ageing on personality

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Woods ◽  
Gill Windle
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Older People ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Personality Change ◽  
Ways Of Coping ◽  
Stable Development

Ageing and personality interact. Whilst experiences that may be associated with age, including changes in roles and social networks, losses and health challenges, may require adaptation of aspects of personality, personality across the life-span fundamentally influences how ageing is experienced. There are indications that extraversion, conscientiousness and openness show reduced levels in later life, but people’s rank order on personality traits remains stable. Development continues into later life, but builds on earlier experiences and ways of coping. Personality resources such as self-esteem, perceived control, self-efficacy and resilience shape the person’s response to adversity in later life, enabling older people to maintain high levels of well-being, despite the challenges. Dementia, the ultimate challenge, is accompanied by personality change, with raised neuroticism and lowered conscientiousness both predicting its onset and accompanying its course. Pre-morbid personality does also appear to have some influence on behavioural problems experienced.

scholarly journals The structure and functional correlates of social support networks of people in advanced old age living in chosen urban and rural areas in Poland: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. B. Wojszel ◽  
B. Politynska
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older People ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Functional Disability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Social Support Networks ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Network Type

Abstract The purpose of the study was to identify the different types of social support networks (SSNs) among community-dwelling people aged 75+ years in selected areas of Poland, and to evaluate any associations between the network type and demographic and health variables of the population studied. The two most prevalent SSN types identified using the Practitioner Assessment of Network Type were “family dependent” (35.8%) and “locally integrated” (32.2%). “Local self-contained” (6.4%), “wider community focused” (2.8%) and “private restricted” (5.6%) SSNs were observed less frequently. In 17.2% of cases, it was not possible to identify the type of network unequivocally. Older people with a locally integrated SSN, in contrast to the family dependent type, were generally younger, living alone, and less likely to be homebound, rate their health as poor, suffer from depression or dementia, and had lower levels of functional disability. Locally integrated SSNs are recognized in the literature as being the most robust in terms of facilitating well-being and providing sufficient support to help maintain the older person in the community. This may reflect the higher levels of independence of older people able to sustain these support networks, which are then transformed into family-dependent types as their health deteriorates, but confirmation of this would require prospective studies. An improved understanding of the prevalence of different types of social networks among older people in Poland would help to guide a systematic approach to recognizing unmet needs in this population and provide crucial information in the planning of formal services.

scholarly journals SOCIAL NETWORK INFLUENCES ON SENSE OF CONTROL AND ATTRIBUTED DIGNITY IN OLDER AGE: RESEARCH RESULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S887-S887
Author(s):  
Raeann G LeBlanc ◽  
Cynthia Jacelon
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Older People ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Chronic Health Conditions ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Sense Of Control ◽  
Chronic Health

Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the functions of individual social networks, defined here as social support, and the outcomes of sense of control and attributed dignity among a sample of older people living with multiple chronic conditions. This study integrated an explanatory sequential (Quan/Qual) mixed methods design. Descriptive statistics were used to describe social networks. Bivariate correlations and regression statistics were used to examine the relationships of social network support (MOS-Social Support Scale) with the dependent variables of sense of control (Wallhagen Revised PCQ Questionnaire) and attributed dignity (Jacelon Attributed Dignity Scale). Open-ended interviews and thematic analysis were used to expand understanding of the quantitative findings. A cross-sectional sample of eighty-nine community dwelling older people living with multiple chronic health conditions participated. Social support, as a function of one’s social network, predicted the outcome of sense of control (β = .33, p ≤ .01) and attributed dignity (β = .44, p ≤ .001). Correlation statistics and regression models substantiated positive relationships of social supports’ influence on perceived sense of control and attributed dignity. Thematic analysis, based on open-ended interviews (n=12), expanded on the nuances of social influences on sense of control and attributed dignity in managing chronic health conditions through the themes “learning to ask for help”, “only a phone call away” and “smaller circles”. This research proposes new ways of understanding the relationships between perceptions of social support, sense of control and attributed dignity in later life in managing health.

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