Personal social networks and health among aging adults in Agincourt, South Africa: A multidimensional approach

Moore, Ami R.; Prybutok, Victor R.; Ta, Anh; Amey, Foster

doi:10.1016/j.socnet.2018.06.001

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Interventions could be considered at the individual, interpersonal, and community levels. Maintaining existing social contacts might be supported through structured community settings at which older adults could meet, including through churches (over 80% of HAALSI participants give a religious affiliation ( Moore et al, 2018 )). Such structures might be especially important for those who have recently lost connections, e.g., due to loss of employment or spouse, or who are living alone or have few kin.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social contact, social support, and cognitive health in a population-based study of middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa

Harling

Kobayashi

Farrell

et al. 2020

Social Science & Medicine

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Background Several theories seek to explain how social connections and cognitive function are interconnected in older age. These include that social interaction protects against cognitive decline, that cognitive decline leads to shedding of social connections and that cognitive decline leads to increased instrumental support. We investigated how patterns of social contact, social support and cognitive health in rural South Africa fit with these three theories. Method We used data from the baseline of “Health and Aging in Africa: a Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH community in South Africa” (HAALSI), a population-based study of 5059 individuals aged ≥ 40 years. We evaluated how a range of egocentric social connectedness measures varied by respondents' cognitive function. Results We found that respondents with lower cognitive function had smaller, denser social networks that were more local and more kin-based than their peers. Lower cognitive function was associated with receipt of less social support generally, but this difference was stronger for emotional and informational support than for financial and physical support. Impairment was associated with greater differences among those aged 40–59 and those with any (versus no) educational attainment. Conclusions The patterns we found suggest that cognitively impaired older adults in this setting rely on their core social networks for support, and that theories relating to social connectedness and cognitive function developed in higher-income and higher-education settings may also apply in lower-resource settings elsewhere.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social contact, social support, and cognitive health in a population-based study of middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa

Harling

Kobayashi

Farrell

et al. 2020

Social Science & Medicine

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“…Features of social networks are broadly categorized into 2 dimensions—structural and functional—which operate through different pathways to affect well-being and health ( 2 ) . Structural aspects refer to the extent to which individuals are situated within social networks ( 3 ) .…”

Section: Background and Objectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multidimensional Social Network Types and Their Correlates in Older Americans

Ali

Elliott

Antonucci

et al. 2022

Innovation in Aging

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Background and Objectives Social support networks of older adults have been linked to their health and well-being; however, findings regarding the effects of specific network characteristics have been mixed. Additionally, due to demographic shifts increasing numbers of older adults live outside of traditional family structures. Previous studies have not systematically examined the resulting complexity and heterogeneity of older adults’ social networks. Our objectives were to examine this complexity and heterogeneity by developing a multidimensional typology of social networks that simultaneously considers multiple structural and functional network characteristics, and to examine differences in network type membership by sociodemographic characteristics, health characteristics, and birth cohort. Research Design and Methods Participants included 5,192 adults aged 57–85 years in the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project at rounds 1 (2005–2006) and 3 (2015–2016). Data were collected on social relationships including network size, diversity, frequency of contact, and perceived support and strain in relationships. We used latent class analysis to derive the network typology and multinomial logistic regression to examine differences in network type membership by sociodemographic characteristics, health characteristics, and birth cohort. Results Older adults were classified into 5 distinct social network types: (i) large, with strain; (ii) large, without strain; (iii) small, diverse, low contact; (iv) small, restricted, high contact; and (v) medium size and support. Membership in these network types varied by age, gender, marital status, race/ethnicity, education, mental health, and birth cohort. Discussion and Implications Network typologies can elucidate the varied interpersonal environments of older adults and identify individuals who lack social connectedness on multiple network dimensions and are therefore at a higher risk of social isolation.

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“…The finding was that a large information network is beneficial for self-management capabilities, especially in low education populations. This may be of an advantage in many cultures such as in South Africa where strong family relationships and family caring are important and highly valued [49][50][51].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Does social support effect knowledge and diabetes self-management practices in older persons with Type 2 diabetes attending primary care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa?

Werfalli

Kalula²,

Manning

et al. 2020

PLoS ONE

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BackgroundIn South Africa with one of the most rapidly ageing populations in Africa despite the demographic impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Self-management is challenging for all those with the condition but is likely to create a higher demand for those who may have existing co-morbidities associated with age, and long-standing chronic diseases. ObjectiveTo determine the relationship of social support, especially that of family and friends with their self-management. MethodsThis cross-sectional study was undertaken in the Cape Town metropole primary care clinics. The sample comprised 406 people drawn from four community health centres (CHC) that are served by Groote Schuur Hospital at the tertiary level. ResultsOf the 406 participants, 68.5% were females, 60.5% were living with a family member, and almost half were married. The mean duration of diabetes from diagnosis was eight years. More than half (57.4%) had no or only primary education. Half the participants (50.2%) had poor knowledge level in relation to symptoms and complications of diabetes. Multivariable linear regression showed older age was associated with poor knowledge (®: -1.893, 95% CI-3.754; -0.031) and higher income was associated with self-management practice (®: PLOS ONEPLOS ONE | https://doi.

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Personal social networks and health among aging adults in Agincourt, South Africa: A multidimensional approach

Cited by 8 publications

References 55 publications

Social contact, social support, and cognitive health in a population-based study of middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa

Social contact, social support, and cognitive health in a population-based study of middle-aged and older men and women in rural South Africa

Multidimensional Social Network Types and Their Correlates in Older Americans

Does social support effect knowledge and diabetes self-management practices in older persons with Type 2 diabetes attending primary care clinics in Cape Town, South Africa?

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