Social network typologies of older people: A cross-national literature review

Guadalupe, Sónia; Vicente, Henrique Testa

doi:10.1590/1413-812320212611.3.23072019

Cited by 4 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Profile-based methods, including cluster analysis and LCA, have been utilized to typologize social networks based on composite indicators such as network size, support sources, frequency, proximity to members, and social participation ( Litwin, 2001 ; Wenger, 1991 ). Later-life network profiles are consistently found to cluster around four types ( Guadalupe & Vicente, 2021 ). Diverse networks involve broad support from both kin and nonkin with active social participation.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Network typology allows researchers to overcome this shortcoming by incorporating a composite collection of network characteristics to parsimoniously describe both structural components (e.g., size) and functional properties (e.g., support type) of a network ( Fiori et al, 2006 ; Litwin, 2001 ; Wenger, 1991 ). Although this approach has been increasingly utilized to examine older persons’ network constellations ( Guadalupe & Vicente, 2021 ), little is known about network types among the childless.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Childlessness, Social Network Profiles in Midlife and Late Adulthood, and Their Implications for Subjective Well-Being

Teerawichitchainan,

Kim,

2024

The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

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Objectives Despite the rising prevalence of individuals reaching advanced age without children, little is known about the diversity in support networks within childless populations. We examine the network profiles of childless adults aged 50+ in Singapore, which observes high childlessness rates despite societal emphasis on familism. Methods We employ latent class analysis to derive network typology based on a 2022 nationwide survey in Singapore. Additionally, we use logistic regression analyses to investigate the sociodemographic correlates of childless individuals’ network types and the associations between these network types and subjective well-being. Results Childless Singaporeans form a heterogeneous group characterized by different support networks. Evidence suggests the centrality of parents in the childless’ social networks and the continuity of parent-child support exchanges that extend into the child’s midlife and late adulthood. When parents are absent, siblings/extended kin serve as their support sources. Age, sibship size, and socioeconomic status are key correlates of network types. Membership in diverse networks is beneficial to the subjective well-being of childless individuals. Although one-fifth of childless individuals in restricted networks demonstrate significantly poorer well-being, the remaining four-fifths show comparable, if not better, well-being than the non-childless. Discussion Results underscore the importance of differentiating network types among the childless, particularly when assessing their well-being. Contrary to the notion associating later-life childlessness with social isolation and vulnerabilities, many childless Singaporeans manage to construct non-child-based networks equipped with various supportive relations that cater to their needs. Nevertheless, persistent vulnerabilities among restricted network members deserve policymakers’ attention.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Childlessness, Social Network Profiles in Midlife and Late Adulthood, and Their Implications for Subjective Well-Being

Teerawichitchainan,

Kim,

2024

The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences

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“…Different types of networks, such as diverse networks, family-centered networks, friend-centered networks, and restricted networks, usually indicate different accessibility to social resources (Antonucci et al 2014 ; Kim et al 2017 ). Moreover, the type and structure of social networks are associated with health outcomes, such as life expectancy, health habits, and quality of life (Fiori et al 2006 ; Litwin and Shiovitz-Ezra 2006 ; Kim et al 2017 ; Litwin and Levinson 2018 ; Park et al 2018 ; Ye and Zhang 2019 ; Choi and Jeon 2021 ; Guadalupe and Vicente 2021 ). More diverse networks are associated with better mental and physical health (Litwin and Shiovitz-Ezra 2006 ), while restrained networks are linked to inferior mental health (Kim et al 2017 ).…”

Section: Social Disadvantage Context and Network Dynamics In Later Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, I show how the size, composition, and frequency of contact change. These are defining factors of a network’s structure and function (Guadalupe and Vicente 2021 ). Second, I examine how disadvantaged backgrounds and shifts in contextual factors correlate with network features.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social disadvantage, context and network dynamics in later life

Feng

2023

Eur J Ageing

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How do personal networks evolve as individuals age? To what degree do social disadvantage and contextual factors matter for network dynamics in later life? This paper answers these two questions based on egocentric network data of older adults over a ten-year period. Specifically, I use longitudinal and nationally representative data on 1,168 older adults from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. I use between-within models to separate the within- and between-individual effects of sociodemographic characteristics and contextual factors on three aspects of social connectedness in later life: network size, frequency of contact, and proportion of kin. Patterns of network change vary among people of different races and ethnicities as well as educational levels. Black and Hispanic respondents have a significantly smaller network size and a higher average frequency of contact with confidants. Moreover, Hispanic respondents have a higher proportion of kin in the network, compared to White respondents. Similarly, older adults with less education have a smaller network size, higher frequency of contact and higher proportion of kin in their confidant networks compared to those who attended college. Older adults who have better mental health are more likely to have a higher frequency of contact and higher proportion of kin. When an older adult starts to work for pay, their frequency of contact with confidants tends to increase. Older adults living in neighborhoods with stronger social ties are more likely to have a larger network size, higher frequency of contact, and lower proportion of kin in their confidant network. The above results show that disadvantaged backgrounds and contextual factors are associated with certain less favorable network characteristics, which helps to explain the concentration of social disadvantage on certain populations.

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“…In Brazil, the theme is emerging and recent data indicate social and gender inequalities regarding the role of social networks in maintaining physical and mental health (Brito, 2018). Considering the various possible social arrangements and rearrangements influenced by culture and demographic changes highlighted by the review of Guadalupe and Vicente (2021), it is highly valuable to assess and monitor the characteristics and functions of these networks in different regions of Brazil. This is especially important considering the increasing demand for care as people age, which is exacerbated by the diminishing size of social networks in advanced age.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support network, functional capacity and mental health in older adults

Rabelo,

Pinto

2023

Psico-USF

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This study aimed to describe the characteristics of the social networks of older adults and to assess associations between social support, functional capacity and mental health. The sample consisted of 134 community-dwelling older adults, assessed in terms of their social network through the Minimum Map of Older Adult Relationships; functional capacity for performance in activities of daily living; depressive symptoms, assessed through the Geriatric Depression Scale and; anxiety, assessed through the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Cluster analyses were performed. The social network was characterized by being informal, functioning as affective support that occurs through visits. Social support perceived as insufficient was more frequent in men, in those who were dependent regarding instrumental activities of daily living, and in those with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Reduced social support networks and lack of support were associated with limitations in functional capacity and worse mental health, sparking debate about the centrality of the family in the provision of support.

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Social network typologies of older people: A cross-national literature review

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Childlessness, Social Network Profiles in Midlife and Late Adulthood, and Their Implications for Subjective Well-Being

Childlessness, Social Network Profiles in Midlife and Late Adulthood, and Their Implications for Subjective Well-Being

Social disadvantage, context and network dynamics in later life

Social support network, functional capacity and mental health in older adults

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