Network Types and Functional Health in Old Age: It is Not Just the Size of the Network That Matters

Overview

Journal J Aging Health

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2023 Oct 20

PMID 37863092

Authors

Talha Ali

Michael R Elliott

Toni C Antonucci

Belinda L Needham

Jon Zelner

Carlos F Mendes de Leon

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Findings on the effect of network size and support on functional health are mixed. We examine whether network types, that simultaneously incorporate multiple network characteristics, are associated with functional health in late life.

Methods: Data are from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project ( = 3005). We estimated the longitudinal effect of membership in five multidimensional network types on disability in six activities of daily living using negative binomial regression, and on mobility (assessed using a timed walk test) using a generalized linear mixed model.

Results: Compared to those in the network, older adults in the network had fewer disabilities but worse mobility, while those in the also had worse mobility.

Discussion: Care plans focusing on function and mobility should consider multiple aspects of older adults' social networks including network size, diversity, and relationship strain.

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