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Social network types among older adults: a multidimensional approach
Katherine L Fiori1, Jacqui Smith, Toni C Antonucci
1Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. katherine.fiori@liu.edu
Summary
Different social network types impact well-being in older adults. Understanding social relations, including network structure, function, and quality, provides unique insights into aging and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Social relations theories posit that personal networks encompass various relationship aspects.
- Different network structures and qualities are hypothesized to differentially support well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct social network types in older adults based on structure, function, and quality.
- To examine the association between these network types and well-being.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Berlin Aging Study (N = 516, mean age = 85 years).
- Employed cluster analysis to derive social network types.
- Assessed the relationship between network types and well-being.
Main Results:
- Six distinct social network types were identified: diverse-supported, family focused, friend focused-supported, friend focused-unsupported, restricted-nonfriends-unsatisfied, and restricted-nonfamily-unsupported.
- These network types differentially predicted well-being.
- While older-old individuals (85+) were more prevalent in certain restricted and friend-focused types, age did not alter the network type-well-being association.
Conclusions:
- Social network composition, encompassing structure, function, and quality, is a significant predictor of well-being in old age.
- A comprehensive view of social networks offers valuable insights into the aging process and individual well-being.
- Specific network configurations are more conducive to well-being than others, irrespective of age moderation.
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