Does Embeddedness Protect? Personal Network Density and Vulnerability to Mistreatment Among Older American Adults

Schafer, Markus H.; Koltai, Jonathan

doi:10.1093/geronb/gbu071

Cited by 38 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…To account for this possibility, I follow the inverse probability weighting adjustment used in other NSHAP studies to correct for non-random attrition between waves and potential selection bias (e.g., Cornwell and Laumann 2015; Schafer and Koltai 2015; York Cornwell and Waite 2012). I first use a logit model to predict whether a baseline respondent is included in the final analytic sample, using a number of sociodemographic, health, and network-related covariates (including total network size and total kin network members (0–7)) as predictors.…”

Section: Data and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Certain social resources that benefit individual health may depend on there being social closure among one's closest network members (Coleman 1988). For instance, older adults who bridge members of their social networks are more likely to experience abuse or mistreatment than those with more social closure among network alters (Schafer and Koltai 2015). In this circumstance, a bridging position may compromise alters' capacity to share information and coordinate protection ego against stressful or harmful events.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, some studies suggest that greater connectivity among network alters may be particularly consequential for normative reinforcement of health behaviors such as smoking cessation, even more so than dyadic ties (e.g., Christakis and Fowler 2008; Valente 2010). Bridging kin may therefore attenuate kin’s capacity to collectively monitor and influence individual wellbeing (Cornwell 2009; Schafer and Koltai 2015). When network members are connected to one another, they are better able enforce social norms and/or sanction deviations from certain health behaviors (Coleman 1988).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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All in the family: The link between kin network bridging and cardiovascular risk among older adults

Goldman

2016

Social Science & Medicine

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While considerable work has examined the association between social relationships and health, most of this research focuses on the relevance of social network composition and quality of dyadic ties. In this study, I consider how the social network structure of ties among older adults’ close family members may affect cardiovascular health in later life. Using data from 938 older adults that participated in Waves 1 and 2 of the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), I test whether older adults who occupy bridging positions among otherwise disconnected or poorly connected kin in their personal social network are more likely to present elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker for cardiovascular risk. Results indicate that occupying a bridging position among family members is significantly associated with elevated CRP. This effect is unique to bridging kin network members. These findings suggest that ties among one’s closest kin may generate important resources and norms that influence older adults’ health, such that bridging kin network members may compromise physical wellbeing. I discuss these results in the context of prior work on social support, family solidarity, and health in later life.

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Section: Data and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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All in the family: The link between kin network bridging and cardiovascular risk among older adults

Goldman

2016

Social Science & Medicine

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“…These data suggest approximately 1 in 20 adults can be expected to experience some form of financial exploitation past the age of 60, an incidence rate eclipsing many age-related diseases. These are almost certainly underestimates of the true prevalence as many older adults are unaware or unwilling to report exploitation ( 3 , 4 ). This latter point highlights the difficulty in conducting research in this area.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Financial Exploitation Is Associated With Structural and Functional Brain Differences in Healthy Older Adults

Spreng

Cassidy

Darboh

et al. 2017

The Journals of Gerontology: Series A

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BackgroundAge-related brain changes leading to altered socioemotional functioning may increase vulnerability to financial exploitation. If confirmed, this would suggest a novel mechanism leading to heightened financial exploitation risk in older adults. Development of predictive neural markers could facilitate increased vigilance and prevention. In this preliminary study, we sought to identify structural and functional brain differences associated with financial exploitation in older adults.MethodsFinancially exploited older adults (n = 13, 7 female) and a matched cohort of older adults who had been exposed to, but avoided, a potentially exploitative situation (n = 13, 7 female) were evaluated. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we examined cortical thickness and resting state functional connectivity. Behavioral data were collected using standardized cognitive assessments, self-report measures of mood and social functioning.ResultsThe exploited group showed cortical thinning in anterior insula and posterior superior temporal cortices, regions associated with processing affective and social information, respectively. Functional connectivity encompassing these regions, within default and salience networks, was reduced, while between network connectivity was increased. Self-reported anger and hostility was higher for the exploited group.ConclusionsWe observed financial exploitation associated with brain differences in regions involved in socioemotional functioning. These exploratory and preliminary findings suggest that alterations in brain regions implicated in socioemotional functioning may be a marker of financial exploitation risk. Large-scale, prospective studies are necessary to validate this neural mechanism, and develop predictive markers for use in clinical practice.

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“…Structural formation also influences how easily the depressed individual can solicit help from her friends and family. If the network members all know each other (i.e., bonding social capital), they can coordinate their efforts to provide a system of support (Schafer and Koltai 2014). Conversely, if the network members do not know each other (i.e., bridging social capital), there is a greater chance that they will be privy to non‐redundant information and perspectives that may also be used to the depressed individual’s advantage (Burt 1992, Goldman and Cornwell 2015).…”

Section: What Do We Know About Network and Health?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Social networks and health in later life: a state of the literature

Roth

2020

Sociology Health & Illness

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Late life is a period frequently marked by decline in personal health and heightened need for social support. Consequently, the social networks in which individuals are embedded assume an increasingly central role in the health and wellbeing of older adults. In the present article, I review the state of the literature on social networks and health in later life. By drawing on insights from the sociology of ageing and the life course, I address new developments and current challenges within the field. Chief among these developments and challenges is the recognition that the ageing process does not occur in a vacuum. Rather, individuals are consistently exposed to numerous changes to their social lives which have strong implications for current and future health outcomes. Upon highlighting the latest innovations within the field of networks and health, I conclude with useful directions for future research.

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Does Embeddedness Protect? Personal Network Density and Vulnerability to Mistreatment Among Older American Adults

Cited by 38 publications

References 28 publications

All in the family: The link between kin network bridging and cardiovascular risk among older adults

All in the family: The link between kin network bridging and cardiovascular risk among older adults

Financial Exploitation Is Associated With Structural and Functional Brain Differences in Healthy Older Adults

Social networks and health in later life: a state of the literature

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