Social network types and functional dependency in older adults in Mexico

Abstract

BackgroundSocial networks play a key role in caring for older adults. A better understanding of the characteristics of different social networks types (TSNs) in a given community provides useful information for designing policies to care for this age group. Therefore this study has three objectives: 1) To derive the TSNs among older adults affiliated with the Mexican Institute of Social Security; 2) To describe the main characteristics of the older adults in each TSN, including the instrumental and economic support they receive and their satisfaction with the network; 3) To determine the association between functional dependency and the type of social network.MethodsSecondary data analysis of the 2006 Survey of Autonomy and Dependency (N = 3,348). The TSNs were identified using the structural approach and cluster analysis. The association between functional dependency and the TSNs was evaluated with Poisson regression with robust variance analysis in which socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and medical history covariates were included.ResultsWe identified five TSNs: diverse with community participation (12.1%), diverse without community participation (44.3%); widowed (32.0%); nonfriends-restricted (7.6%); nonfamily-restricted (4.0%). Older adults belonging to widowed and restricted networks showed a higher proportion of dependency, negative self-rated health and depression. Older adults with functional dependency more likely belonged to a widowed network (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.5; 95%CI: 1.1-2.1).ConclusionThe derived TSNs were similar to those described in developed countries. However, we identified the existence of a diverse network without community participation and a widowed network that have not been previously described. These TSNs and restricted networks represent a potential unmet need of social security affiliates.

Social Network Type and Health among Older Americans

“…In Germany, no additional network types were found, but two sub-types for the friends-focused type emerged, "supported" and "unsupported", as well as two sub-types for the restricted groupings, "non-friend-unsatisfied" and "non-family-unsupported" (Fiori et al 2007). A unique "widowed" network grouping was found in Mexico (Doubova et al 2010). In Israel, two additional types found were the "community-clan" and "neighbors" networks (Litwin and ShiovitzEzra 2006).…”

“…For example, belonging to different network types is related to depressive symptomatology (Fiori et al 2006) and to morale (Litwin 2001). Embeddedness in different network constellations is also associated with such physical health outcomes as visual difficulty and incontinence (Litwin 1998), functional dependency (Doubova et al 2010), and survival (Litwin and Shiovitz-Ezra 2006). Research has also shown that social network types are related to differing degrees of formal service utilization, such as public home care (Litwin 2004).…”

Comparison of Agility and Dynamic Balance in Elderly Women with Endomorphic Mesomorph Somatotype with Presence or Absence of Metabolic Syndrome

“…The process of aging is characterized by a decrease in the physiological capacity, progressively declining functions of the organs and systems (Fulop et al, 2010), older adults presenting a natural progressive loss of physical capacities and a dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system by gradual changes in their body mass index (Rexhepi et al, 2011), as well as body composition, decreasing muscle mass and bone mineral density and increasing the body fat mass content (Rolland et al, 2009); These effects result in a unbalance of motricity, becoming more weak (Jang & Van Remmen, 2010;Doubova et al, 2010;Blain et al, 2010, Fraga et al, 2011Guzmán et al, 2011), predisposing the elderly to have lower functional autonomy in activities of daily living such as walking, climbing stairs, or rising from a chair without the help of a person or device (Molt et al, 2010;Reid et al, 2008;de Noronha et al, 2010).…”

Older Gay Men and Their Support Convoys

“…Considering that the types of networks older adults create are culturally dependent and specific, showing differences between countries and across race, gender, and socioeconomic status (Cheng, Lee, Chan, Leung, & Lee, 2009;Doubova et al, 2010;Fiori et al, 2008;Litwin & Shiovitz-Ezra, 2006), it is important not to prioritize certain relationships over others. This may be critical for marginalized groups.…”