Transitions in Social Network Types over Time among Older Adults

Abstract

<b><i>Objective:</i></b> Network typology studies have identified heterogeneous types of older adults’ social networks. However, little is known about stability and change in social network types over time. We investigate transitions in social network types among older adults, aged 60 years and older, and factors associated with such transitions. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used data on 1,305 older adults, participating in 2 waves of a national, longitudinal survey, conducted in 2016–2017 and 2019, in Singapore. Latent transition analysis identified the distinct types of social networks and their transition patterns between the waves. Multinomial logistic regression examined the association of baseline and change in physical, functional, and mental health and baseline sociodemographic characteristics with network transitions into more diverse or less diverse types. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We found 5 social network types at both waves, representing the most to the least diverse types – diverse, unmarried and diverse, extended family, immediate family, and restricted. Between waves, about 57% of respondents retained their social network type, whereas 24% transitioned into more diverse types and 19% into less diverse types. Those who were older and less educated and those with worsening functional and mental health were more likely to transition into less diverse types versus remaining in the same type. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> The findings capture the dynamics in social network composition among older adults in the contemporary aging society. We highlight sociodemographic and health disparities contributing to later life social network diversity.

Transitions in Social Networks From Young-Old to Old-Old Stage of Life Using Latent Transition Analysis

“…First, all of the social network variables were dichotomized. The dichotomization of study variables has been a common approach used to facilitate model identification and interpretation in LCA and LTA (Cheng et al, 2021; Rinne et al, 2017; Sung et al, 2022). However, future studies should use different set of standards to categorize the social network variables to better understand the transition patterns of social networks among older adults.…”

“…This study found five social network types of diverse, unmarried and diverse, extended family, immediate family, and restricted (Sung et al, 2022). While this study findings serve as an important first step to understanding different social network types, cultural beliefs and societal roles among Singaporean older adults may be different from older adults in the United States (Sung et al, 2022). In addition, Sung et al (2022) acknowledged as a limitation that examining transitions in social networks within the 2-year time span may be subtle (Sung et al, 2022).…”

“…While this study findings serve as an important first step to understanding different social network types, cultural beliefs and societal roles among Singaporean older adults may be different from older adults in the United States (Sung et al, 2022). In addition, Sung et al (2022) acknowledged as a limitation that examining transitions in social networks within the 2-year time span may be subtle (Sung et al, 2022). Given the heterogeneity of older adults living in the United States, it is important to understand the changes in social networks from a homogeneous group of older adults (e.g., young-old adults) to another (e.g., old-old adults and oldest-old adults) in a broader time span where transitions may become more evident.…”

“…As an extension of latent class analysis (LCAs), LTA assumes that the latent class membership is dynamic and individuals transition in their latent class membership over time (Abarda et al, 2020; Bray et al, 2021). A recent study used LTA among older adults to understand transitions in social network types over 2 years among community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 60 years and older (Sung et al, 2022). This study found five social network types of diverse, unmarried and diverse, extended family, immediate family, and restricted (Sung et al, 2022).…”

“…A recent study used LTA among older adults to understand transitions in social network types over 2 years among community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 60 years and older (Sung et al, 2022). This study found five social network types of diverse, unmarried and diverse, extended family, immediate family, and restricted (Sung et al, 2022). While this study findings serve as an important first step to understanding different social network types, cultural beliefs and societal roles among Singaporean older adults may be different from older adults in the United States (Sung et al, 2022).…”