Assessment of multiple constructs of social integration for older adults living in nursing homes

ABSTRACT

A variety of terms and measures have been used in the literature to denote being socially integrated, and many studies of older adults focus on only social networks or social support and often only include those living in the community. The purpose of this study was to assess multiple constructs of social integration (i.e., social networks, social capital, social support, and social engagement) for older adults in nursing homes. Data were collected from 140 older adults at 30 nursing homes in Kansas. We interviewed older adults’ in-person using a survey questionnaire, and used multilevel confirmatory factor analysis to analyze the data. The final model that included the four constructs had acceptable fit (χ² = 174.71; df = 112; p < .01; CFI = .93; RMSEA = .06; SRMR-W = .06; SRMR-B = .12). The results showed that the proposed model was supported at the individual level. At the between-level, social networks and social support were supported. Study results have methodological and practice/policy implications for the study of older adults in long term care settings. In particular, this study contributes to understanding how to operationally define and differentiate social integration variables in studies of older adults, particularly when study data are hierarchical.     

Patterns of Social Support in the Middle Childhood to Early Adolescent Transition: Implications for Adjustment

Children's social networks often include close family members, extended family members, and friends, but little is known about interindividual differences in the patterning of support from these sources. In this study, we used person‐oriented analyses to differentiate patterns of support for children undergoing the transition to adolescence. Social network and adjustment data were collected for an ethnically diverse sample of 691 fourth‐ and sixth‐grade children, with a two‐year follow‐up. Cluster analyses identified one pattern of support from both close family members and friends, a second pattern of support from both close and extended family members, and a third pattern of support primarily from close family members alone. Participants receiving support from close family in combination with either extended family or friends were better adjusted than were those without multiple support resources. The results suggest that a meaningful typology of children's social networks can be developed.     

Depression and Social Networks in Community Dwelling Elders: A Descriptive Study

Social isolation and inadequate social support have been identified as correlates of depression in older adults, although the relationship between depression and social isolation is not entirely understood (Dorfman et al., 1995). This study was conducted to describe the social networks of depressed older adults living in the community and to compare the social networks of depressed and nondepressed individuals, thus adding to the body of knowledge regarding social networks, older adults, and depression.

The sample consisted of 91 respondents aged 65 and older who were randomly selected using the voter registry. About 27% (25) respondents reported significant levels of depressive symptomology as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). All respondents completed semistructured interviews that included questions about social contacts with family and others during the prior week. All participants reported social contact with family and friends during this period.

In this sample, depressed elders were not socially isolated. They were more likely to report contacts with friends than those who were not depressed, and equally likely to report involvement in volunteer activities. Their likelihood of seeking social support was also comparable. Results emphasize the importance of peer relationships and suggest that, in some groups of older adults, social isolation may not be a hallmark of depressive symptoms.     

Validation of multidimensional scale of perceived social support in middle-aged Korean women with diabetes

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) among middle-aged Korean women with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Data were collected from 123 middle-aged Korean women with diabetes. Construct and concurrent validity were examined using factor analysis. Results: Factor analysis extracted three factors: spouse, family, and friends. The MSPSS had relatively good concurrent validity (r = .66, p < .0001), construct validity, and strong reliability (Cronbach's alpha = .90). Conclusion: We concluded that the MSPSS is a simple and well-established instrument to measure social support in middle-aged Korean women with diabetes.     

Informal support and psychological well-being of older Chinese community residents

Social support is a critical factor in the well-being of older Chinese adults. Studies have found positive relationships between social support and psychological well-being. The findings, however, vary by kind of support. This article examines the relationships among objective and subjective social support from family members and close friends and three measures of psychological well-being, including loneliness, depression, and life satisfaction. The study sample consisted of 298 elderly Chinese community residents from Chongqing, China. The relationships between objective social support from family and friends and psychological well-being were, for the most part, not statistically significant. The relationships between subjective social support and well-being were fairly robust and statistically significant.     

社会流动与流动者的关系网络

本研究通过对厦门市流入者的关系网络的实证考察,主要的发现是：农村出身者的网络总量以及邻居、同乡关系的量大于城市出身者,但是网络持续性较弱;流动距离对同乡关系产生正向影响;在关系网络的量以及同质性方面,到达阶层较低的流动者大于或强于到达阶层较高的流动者;流入年数对亲戚关系以及网络持续性、职业同质性产生正向影响;教育年数的增加可以促进同事、同学、朋友关系的形成,并导致网络选择性、扩大性增强,网络持续性减弱;政治身份的向上流动可以导致网络总量以及邻居、同学、同乡关系增多,并导致网络同质性增强。这些发现说明,国外学者的先行理论在中国社会的应用具有一定的局限性。作者认为,这是由在漫长的农业社会中形成的血缘、地缘意识被深深内化,以及城乡社会结构的差异、社会流动的特性、人口城市化与生活城市化的不一致性等中国社会独特的社会历史文化所导致的。     

What do we know about the social networks of single parents who do not use supportive services?

The role that social support and social networks play in mediating isolation and stress experienced by vulnerable families is well established. However, a major issue facing supportive human services is to find and engage families with limited social networks and link them to supports that could improve outcomes for their families. This paper reports on the results of in‐depth interviews with 20 sole parents with children aged under 5 who were not well connected to services. It documents their social networks with the use of a social network map. Using a social capital lens, the analysis attempts to differentiate the different relationships in the participants' lives. Most participants were not satisfied with their informal networks, with conflicted or ambivalent reliance on family, absence of support and community engagement and fragility of informal networks. Although this group of isolated mothers does encounter the formal service system, the opportunities to increase and strengthen their networks do not eventuate. Better understanding of the nature and extent of social networks can inform practitioners and policy‐makers of the critical factors needed to increase service use for parents with limited resources.     

The role of family centres in reducing social isolation in deprived communities

Social exclusion and isolation are worldwide social and health concerns with negative effects becoming exacerbated in deprived communities. There is limited understanding related to the role of community‐based centres in reducing social exclusion and isolation, so the aim of this research was to explore the role one family centre had in improving social inclusion in a deprived community in Glasgow, Scotland. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was utilized to analyse interviews from 10 parents to explore their lived experiences of creating and developing social networks through family centre attendance. Findings indicate that attending the family centre positively impacted on social inclusion and social support for all parents interviewed. Relationships created in the centre were proposed as being meaningful, non‐judgemental and produced social capital—rooted in reciprocity and trust. Findings can inform services that aim to reduce social isolation in deprived communities.     

The role of social support when giving up drug abuse: a female perspective

This article contains a presentation and analysis of the results from two qualitative studies, which examined female drug abusers' everyday lives and the social support available to them within their close relationships. Both studies concerned women who were participating in work-training or treatment programmes and who were in the process of giving up drug abuse. The two main questions concerned the supply of social support from the women's social networks and whether the amount of support available or lack of support had any impact on the exit process. Social support within different relationships of the women's social networks is presented, as well as different types of professional social support and treatment. The results in relation to previous research about female drug abusers and social support from gender and class perspectives are discussed. Conclusions about three important factors when creating a new life after drug abuse are drawn.     

Characteristics of the Social Support Networks of Maltreated Youth: Exploring the Effects of Maltreatment Experience and Foster Placement

Little is known about the social support networks of maltreated youth or how youth in foster care may compare with those who remain with their parent(s). Social network characteristics and perceived social support were examined between (1) maltreated and comparison youth, (2) maltreated youth who remained with their biological parent, those with a foster parent, or a those with a kin caregiver, and (3) youth in stable placements and those who have changed placements. Data came from a sample of 454 adolescents (241 boys, 9–13 years old at enrollment) who took part in a longitudinal study of child maltreatment. Participants completed three assessments approximately 1 year apart. Results showed that on average, maltreated adolescents named significantly fewer people in their network than comparison adolescents. At Time 2, comparison adolescents reported more same‐aged friends. In the maltreatment group, youth with a foster parent reported significantly more older friends than maltreated youth with a kin caregiver. Fewer maltreated youth named a biological parent on the social support questionnaire at all three time points. More youth in kinship care described their caregiver as supportive than those in foster care. These findings indicate that despite heterogeneous placement histories, social support networks among maltreated youth were very similar.     

吸毒人群社会支持网研究——对重庆市南岸区戒毒所的调查,

本文通过对重庆市南岸区戒毒所的调查,采用社会支持网分析方法,发现吸毒人员的社会支持网规模很小,吸毒网络具有秘密性和牢固性。其相识关系提供毒品支持,朋友关系和亲戚关系提供情感和经济支持。吸毒人员的吸毒年限、有抢劫和偷盗行为对注射吸毒行为和共用针头注射吸毒行为有明显的影响等一系列特征。     

Resident-Managed Elder Intentional Neighborhoods: Do They Promote Social Resources for Older Adults?

Social isolation has serious negative public health impacts for older adults. Survey data were collected at three resident-managed elder intentional neighborhoods in the United States (n = 59), to determine if these neighborhoods, each based on the cohousing model, promote development of social resources for their residents. Social resources were measured on three dimensions: social networks, neighborly support, and satisfaction with the neighborhood community. Respondents were White, mean age of 73.3 (range = 63–91), primarily female (76.3%), and generally had high levels of education and self-reported health. Almost half (47%) were never married/divorced and 37% were childless. Inclusion of neighborhood ties ameliorated risk of social isolation. Satisfaction with support and a variety of neighboring behaviors were reported. These neighborhoods are meeting the needs of a potentially at-risk population as an avenue to promote social resources and reduce social isolation. The implications for gerontological social workers include a role in helping to mobilize and support these types of neighborhoods as a way to encourage mutual support among older adults. With the increase in the aging population, such models of proactive interdependence and communal coping have the potential to lessen or delay the demands that socially isolated elders place on social workers.     

汶川大地震灾区青少年社会支持网络研究——以8名转学至某市某中学的青川学生为例

灾区青少年的社会支持网络主要来源为非正式支持系统与正式支持系统,非正式支持系统包括家庭成员、亲友邻里、同伴等,正式支持系统包括学校、政府、志愿者、福利组织及社会人士等。研究表明,社会支持网络对灾后青少年心理恢复具有较强的助益作用,非正式支持系统与正式支持系统对灾区青少年心理复原都发挥着重要作用。     

The Relationship between Social Networks and Volunteerism among Seniors

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article was to examine the role of social networks in the fostering of volunteering as a social activity among older adults. Two different data sources were used. First, a secondary analysis was conducted of 2,057 Spanish respondents to the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, previously published in 2013. The features of the social networks of volunteers and non-volunteers (network structure, interaction and quality) were analyzed. Second, a questionnaire was administered to 152 older volunteers in Spain to determine the role played by social networks in the recruitment of older people to volunteer work by looking at which network members had suggested volunteering, among other variables. The analysis of the two datasets found that the low participation of older Spanish people in volunteering is related to the structure of their social networks. While the social networks of older Spanish people are mostly comprised of family members, recruitment to volunteering tends to happen through relationships with friends and acquaintances rather than relatives. Future research in this area should consider the impact of gender on the uptake of volunteering and address other issues such as the role of social networks in the benefits that people get from volunteering.     

Informal caregivers of cancer patients: perceptions about preparedness and support during hospice care

This study examined the perceptions of preparedness and support of informal caregivers of hospice oncology patients. Respondents included coresiding, proximate, and long-distance caregivers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data from 2 caregiver surveys, one administered prior to the care recipient's death and another completed 3 months postdeath. Respondents (N = 69) interpreted preparedness broadly and identified multiple sources of support including hospice personnel, family, friends, neighbors, and spiritual beliefs. Additionally, informational support, such as education, information, and enhanced communication were considered essential for preparing and supporting caregivers. Implications for social work research and practice are provided.     

Personal networks and employment: a study on landless farmers in Yunnan province of China

Abstract

Drastic urbanisation has produced a new marginalised group of landless farmers in China. Using representative survey data (N = 620) collected in the communities of landless farmers in Yunnan Province, this study examined the effects of active personal networks on employment status of landless farmers in the transition from rural to urban living. Our findings suggested that landless farmers more active in personal networks (receiving more support through the networks) were more likely to obtain employment in cities. This positive effect was much stronger for male landless farmers than for their female counterparts. While active personal networks significantly improved the opportunity of employment of older landless farmers, they had an insignificant effect on the younger ones. Social policies and service programmes aimed to facilitate landless farmers’ urban adjustment need to pay more attention to the community-based approach, and take into consideration the different service needs of different groups within this marginalised population.     

Social networks and immigration stress among first‐generation Mandarin‐speaking Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles

This study examined relationships between social networks and immigration stress among first‐generation Chinese immigrants. Using data from a larger study of health behavior among first‐generation Mandarin/English‐speaking immigrants residing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area (N = 1,183), this study found that Chinese immigrants living closer to immediate family and maintaining larger social networks experienced lower immigration stress. Unexpectedly, immigrants with larger family sizes and who participated in voluntary associations (e.g., religious, alumni, and nationality associations) reported increased immigration stress. The findings suggest that practitioners need to be cautious of a possible downside in designing interventions to expand social networks among immigrant clients. The study is especially important in the context of a rapidly increasing immigrant population from Mainland China to the USA. Key Practitioner Message: ● Working with immigration families should incorporate assessment of their social network; ● Interventions designed to facilitate supportive social networks should differentiate different social network ties; ● Different social network ties may affect the stress level of immigrants differently.     

‘His mam,my dad,my girlfriend,loads of people used to bring him up’: the value of social support for (ex) offender fathers

This research analyses key findings from qualitative research conducted with (ex) offender fathers and their probation officers. This paper focuses on the critical role of family and social support for (ex) offender fathers who seek to build and maintain relationships with their children. The research reported in this paper shows that the men receive social support, both formal and informal from a wide ranging and complex network of family, friends and practitioners, which facilitates and enables their commitment to fathering. Drawing on social support theory, I argue that identification of support networks recognizes the productive possibilities of vulnerable families which constitute a source of strength and connection to be nurtured in contexts of adversity. This strengths‐based paradigm advocates the need to identify and facilitate family, friendship and professional networks in the context of social work with offenders and their families.     

论社会网络虚实转换的双重动力

本文探讨了社会网络虚实转换的线上推动力和线下拉动力问题。JSNET2014调查数据表明，虚拟空间亲密好友数量对于虚实转换的推动力有正向影响，但非线性的。线上好友超过50人，虚实转换程度下降，印证了西方实证研究中发现的所谓“邓巴数字定律”在中国网络好友中也是存在的。线上推动力的另一指标同样显示了积极作用，因为专业使用者比一般使用者更具有虚实转换优势。实体空间的拉动力对于虚实转换也存在正向作用：其一，以餐饮社交参与程度为标志的人际交往需求越高，线上好友的下线比率越大；其二，以经济收入为标志的人际交往的承付和兑现能力越强，好友的虚实转换几率越高。这些发现都是在控制了个人身份特征的基础上获得的，有力地说明了线上和线下的双重动力都独立存在。系数集束化分析进一步表明，线上推动力效应大于线下拉动力效应。实证分析还表明，线下拉动力的两个指标之间是相互抑制的，高收入群体在网络交往中不但不受交往需求的影响，人际交往意愿反而会因收入水平的提高而降低。     

Does Volunteering Experience Influence Advance Care Planning in Old Age?

Advance care planning (ACP) increases the likelihood patients will receive end-of-life care that is congruent with their preferences and lowers stress among both patients and caregivers. Previous efforts to increase ACP have mainly focused on information provision in the very late stage of life. This study examines whether a relationship exists between volunteering and ACP, and whether this relationship is associated with social support. The sample comprises 877 individuals who were aged 55+ in 2008, and were deceased before 2010. The sample is derived from seven waves (1998–2010) of data from the Health and Retirement Study. Logistic regression results showed that overall ACP and durable power of attorney for health care (DPAHC) were both higher (OR = 1.61 and 1.71, respectively) for older adults with volunteering experience in the past 10 years than those without such experience. Available social support (relatives and friends living nearby) was not associated with the relationship between volunteering and ACP. Other factors related to ACP included poorer health, death being expected, death due to cancer, older age, and being a racial minority. Involving older people in volunteer work may help to increase ACP. Future research is encouraged to identify reasons for the association between volunteering and ACP.