Social Networks in Adult Life and a Preliminary Examination of the Convoy Model

Abstract

This paper examines the social support networks of older adults. Based upon the Kahn and Antonucci (1980) life course social support model, a national sample of adults aged 50 and older (N = 718) was interviewed, generating support networks consisting of an average of 8.9 members. The respondents were asked questions of the structural (e.g., age, sex, closeness, years known, proximity, and frequency of contact) and functional (number and type of supports provided and received) characteristics of their social networks. These characteristics and relationships are described in detail.

Family health information sharing among older adults: reaching more family members

“…This is consistent with the literature that shows rather low levels of communication about chronic disease FHH among the public (Yoon et al 2004) and highlights our missed opportunities in chronic disease prevention especially among those at increased risk due to family history. The average size of the currently living network and levels of support exchange reported by the participants in this study were similar (Antonucci and Akiyama 1987) or slightly smaller than previously reported (Ashida and Heaney 2008) and is likely due to the current study's focus on the FHH communication network rather than an overall social support network. Disseminating FHH information to biological children is especially important because these adult children can later inform the younger family members when they reach an appropriate age.…”

Parental Involvement During the College Transition: A Review and Suggestion for its Conceptual Definition

“…A robust body of literature indicates that parents provide considerable financial support (Schoeni and Ross 2005;Yelowitz 2007) and frequently listen to their children and give them advice, typically around a few times a month, during emerging and young adulthood (Fingerman et al 2016(Fingerman et al , 2009(Fingerman et al , 2010Pettit et al 2011). Theories of intergenerational support (Antonucci and Akiyama 1987;Becker 1981) identify four reasons for parents' continuance of support: (a) to help children in need (altruism), (b) to maximize reproductive success (evolution), (c) to derive support from children in older adulthood (exchange), and (d) to improve chances for success (investment). As such, Fingerman and colleagues (2009) found that parents provided more financial and practical support to youth in need (e.g., experienced financial or health problems, younger in age) and more listening and advice support to youth viewed as successful (e.g., educational or career achievement).…”

Modelo comboio para suporte familiar pelo enfermeiro na atenção básica: estudo descritivo

“…Nesta pesquisa, os círculos concêntricos estão atrelados ao suporte que os profissionais da saúde disponibilizam às famílias do seu território de atuação. Assim, as características do círculo interno representam os profissionais tidos como de referência, os quais são procurados preferencialmente em detrimento dos que estão nos círculos intermediário e externo (4) . Logo, escolheu-se o círculo interno por entender que este melhor representa o suporte disponibilizado pelas relações que acontecem neste círculo.…”

“…Cada pessoa inserida nessa rede tem uma relação diferente com a pessoa investigada (4) . O comboio possui três círculos concên-tricos, os quais rodeiam o sujeito.…”

“…Os sujeitos situados no segundo círculo possuem um nível de interação maior do que a realização de exigência de papeis, porém estão mais distantes do que as do círculo inicial. Os indivíduos do terceiro círculo interagem a partir das prescrições de papel (4) . As entrevistas aconteceram no período de julho de 2014, em local reservado da própria UBS.…”