Understanding the friendship networks of older Black and Minority Ethnic people living in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Older Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people living in the United Kingdom (UK) are vulnerable to the experiences of social isolation and loneliness. Despite this, it is widely assumed that they adhere to traditional family practices and living arrangements that protect them from social isolation and loneliness. Such assumptions are problematic and can reify family networks as the main area of research for older BME people to the detriment of friendship networks which are also crucial. However, few researchers have explored this area. With the older BME population increasing at a faster rate than the older white population, further research is needed. Utilising data from Wave 6 of Understanding Society (N = 7,499, 4.3% of whom self-identified as BME), this study explores the ways in which the friendship networks of older BME people differ compared to older white people using logistic regression analyses. After controlling for potential confounding socio-demographic characteristics, older BME people were more likely to report having fewer close friends and fewer friends who live locally, suggesting that their friendship networks may be restricted in quantity and accessibility. Not only do these findings raise important questions about the varying needs of older minority ethnic people who have been largely overlooked in recent government policy, but they also highlight the continuing challenges of using large-scale surveys to research older BME people in the UK.

Understanding Social and Emotional Loneliness among Black Older Adults: A Scoping Review

“…While the term ethnic minority conceals significant heterogeneity, evidence suggests important patterning of loneliness by ethnicity among the older adult population ( Salway et al, 2020 ; Victor et al, 2012 ), with Black older adults (henceforth BOAs) showing low levels of social connection and support ( Taylor & Nguyen, 2020 ). A UK study by Hayanga et al (2021) found that Black and Asian adults older than age 65 years are nearly twice as likely (9% and 7%, respectively) to report having no close friends compared to white and other ethnic older adults of the same age (4%). Another study in the US found that race significantly moderated the relationship between loneliness and depressive symptoms among BOAs ( Taylor & Nguyen, 2020 ).…”

Rapid systematic review of systematic reviews: what befriending, social support and low intensity psychosocial interventions, delivered remotely, are effective in reducing social isolation and loneliness among older adults? How do they work?

“…Further research and conclusions. Loneliness and social isolation are extremely complex phenomena 6 , and require a deep understanding and deliberative treatment that was beyond the remit of this rapid review. The risk of running unsuccessful interventions may be higher than many triallists appear to recognise, and a failure to ensure that the processes identified as important in effective interventions are incorporated into intervention design may have adverse impacts for older people, for example in heightening their feelings of alienation 68 .…”