Cohort Differences in Received Social Support in Later Life: The Role of Network Type

Suanet, Bianca; Antonucci, Toni C.

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbw075

Cited by 34 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…These findings nuance recent studies showing a larger salience of non-kin, including for social support ( e.g. Ajrouch, Akiyama and Antonucci 2007; Suanet and Antonucci 2016). Findings here lend support to the thesis of Allan (2008): for informal care, even in the face of large-scale societal change, kin and non-kin still have very distinct roles.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

“…Studies on network types, conducted in many different national contexts, have identified four network types that are relatively commonplace in Western societies (Fiori, Smith and Antonucci 2007; Litwin 2001; Suanet and Antonucci 2016; Wenger 1991), although their exact manifestation and prevalence tend to differ between social contexts. For example, in Southern and Eastern European countries, intergenerational kin ties are still much closer than in Northern and Western Europe, as shown in proximity, contact, support and co-residence (De Jong-Gierveld, Dykstra and Schenk 2012; Hank 2007; Kalmijn and Sarenceno 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Social network type and informal care use in later life: a comparison of three Dutch birth cohorts aged 75–84

2017

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Recent societal changes have increased the salience of non-kin relationships. It can be questioned whether network types that are more strongly non-kin-based give more informal care nowadays. We study how informal care use differs according to network type for three birth cohorts. Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) on older adults aged 75–84 years, interviewed in 1992, 2002 and 2012, respectively (total sample size N = 2,151, analytical sample having functional limitations N = 926). We found four network types: restricted, family-focused with a partner, family-focused without a partner and wider community-focused diverse networks. Wider community-focused diverse networks are more common in the late birth cohort, whereas restricted networks and family-focused networks without a partner are less common. Logistic regression analyses reveal that those in a family-focused network with a partner use informal care more often than those in the other three network types, and insignificant interaction terms show that this does not differ by birth cohort. Irrespective of their network type, those in the late birth cohort use informal care less often. However, after controlling for need, predisposing and context factors, this cohort-difference is no longer significant. We conclude that despite large-scale societal changes, wider community-focused diverse networks do not provide more informal care than before and that among the functionally impaired, the odds of receiving informal care does not decline across birth cohorts.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social network type and informal care use in later life: a comparison of three Dutch birth cohorts aged 75–84

2017

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“…For example, recent studies have shown that later-born cohorts of older adults have larger networks with a greater proportion of friends than earlier-born cohorts [7,15,17]. Furthermore, in later-born cohorts, friends are more likely to fulfill functions that traditionally have been provided by family [18].…”

Section: Increasing Diversity: the Changing Face Of Friendshipsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Increasing Importance of Friendship in Late Life: Understanding the Role of Sociohistorical Context in Social Development

Fiori¹,

Windsor²,

Huxhold³

2020

Gerontology

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Historically, family ties have been understood as the primary source of support for aging adults, and past empirical and theoretical work has highlighted the tendency of older adults to focus on close family. However, in line with demographic changes and historical increases in the diversity of social structures, friendships are increasing in importance in recent generations of older adults. Given the powerful role of context in shaping these changes, this paper offers a conceptual analysis linking individual agency to sociohistorical context as a way to understand this increasing diversity of social ties. More specifically, we propose that the individual invests time and energy to form and maintain social ties, and that each individual has a specific social opportunity structure (all potential ties that are available to invest in, as well as the costs of those investments). Furthermore, this investment of time and energy is determined in part by individual differences in capacities and motivations. We argue that sociohistorical context influences this process in three important ways: (1) in its effect on the social opportunity structure; (2) in its direct effect on time and energy; and (3) in its effect on individuals' capacities and motivations. We believe that these mechanisms can account for the increasing diversity of social ties across adulthood, as well as the potential for future historical changes. © 2020 S. Karger AG, BaselHistorically, family ties have been understood as the primary source of support for aging adults, reflected in theoretical understandings of social development across adulthood and into late life (e.g., [1]) and in the policy emphasis placed on family caregiving in the United States [2]. However, due to demographic changes, such as increasing life expectancy [3], decreasing fertility rates [4], the "gray divorce revolution" [5], and greater geographical mobility [6], the structure and function of older adults' social networks are changing. In particular, it is our view that friendships are increasing in importance (i.e., greater prevalence, greater provision of support, etc.) in recent generations of older adults [7].Existing frameworks of friendship in late life (e.g., [8]), as well as more general models of social networks across the lifespan (e.g., Convoy Model [9]), acknowledge the Friendship in Late Life

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“…In this way, they have already established behavioral, emotional, and relational patterns permeated by diverse sociocultural characteristics. Previous studies have indicated that generational (Suanet & Antonucci, 2017) or cultural patterns can moderate factors such as contact frequency, proximity, orientation and social network composition (Ajrouch, Fuller, Akiyama, & Antonucci, 2018). Thus, the findings described are specific to the Federal District sample.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Elderly individuals in multigenerational households: Family composition, satisfaction with life and social involvement

Oliveira

Salmazo-Silva

Gomes

et al. 2020

Estud. psicol. (Campinas)

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the link between multi-generational household arrangements (uni-, bi- or tri-generational) and sociodemographic variables, functional performance, mood, social support and life satisfaction in cognitively healthy elderly individuals. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative study. A total of 107 elderly individuals from the Federal District were evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale, the Mini Exame do Estado Mental (Mini-Mental State Examination), the Scales of Basic, Instrumental and Advanced Activities of Daily Living, the Perceived Social Support, and the Life Satisfaction Scale. Bivariate statistical analysis indicated that tri-generational arrangements were associated with being female, being a widowed individual and having more children; and uni- or bi-generational arrangements were associated with a greater life satisfaction in comparison to people of the same age, a bigger participation in cultural activities and driving an automobile. These findings indicate that, for elderly individuals, living arrangements are associated with family composition, life satisfaction and social engagement.

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Cohort Differences in Received Social Support in Later Life: The Role of Network Type

Cited by 34 publications

References 36 publications

Social network type and informal care use in later life: a comparison of three Dutch birth cohorts aged 75–84

Social network type and informal care use in later life: a comparison of three Dutch birth cohorts aged 75–84

The Increasing Importance of Friendship in Late Life: Understanding the Role of Sociohistorical Context in Social Development

Elderly individuals in multigenerational households: Family composition, satisfaction with life and social involvement

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