Social support network structure in older people: underlying dimensions and association with psychological and physical health
Abstract
Social networks have been associated with a wide variety of health outcomes in older people. We examined the dimensions underlying the Wenger social support network type assessment to identify dimensions associated with mental and physical health. We interviewed 1334 community-dwelling participants aged 65+. The Geriatric Mental State automated geriatric examination for computer-assisted taxonomy interview was used to rate psychiatric symptoms and quality of life. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of <24 on the mini mental state examination. Clustering around latent variables identified two uncorrelated social support network domains: family (distance from and contact with relatives) and social engagement. Social engagement was associated with a lower age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of depression (odds ratio for a one-tertile increase 0.48), generalised anxiety disorder (OR 0.60), cognitive impairment (OR 0.68) and physical disability (OR 0.62) all p < 0.001. Adjusted for age, sex, depression, cognitive impairment and disability, the social engagement domain was also associated with better quality of life (OR 1.5) self-rated happiness (OR 1.3) and rating life as worth living (OR 1.4). The family domain, on the other hand, was not significantly associated with any health outcome. The results suggest that elective relationships and social engagement are the 'active ingredients' of social networks which promote health in later life.
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Participation in activities in one's social environment and higher frequency of social contact is associated with lower rates of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and cognitive impairment.
“Participation in activities in one’s social environment and higher frequency of social contact is associated with lower rates of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and cognitive impairment (32).”
From Telephone-based group mental health support for older adults in central Canada: pilot acceptability and effectiveness findings of The CONNECT Program (2025) · cites this paper as [32]
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- Authors
- Golden, J., Conroy, R. M., & Lawlor, B. A.
- Affiliations
- St. Patrick's Hospital (IE)
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (IE)
- Corresponding author
- Conroy, Ronán M.
- Venue
- Psychology, Health & Medicine
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-05
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 280-290
- ISSN
- 1354-8506 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-3966
- OpenAlex
- W2097555745
- Cited by
- 196
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 11.09
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology Health & Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
- Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
- Keywords
- social support networks, older adults, social engagement, family relationships, depression, generalized anxiety disorder, cognitive impairment, physical disability, quality of life, happiness, life satisfaction, community-dwelling older adults
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Health Status, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Ireland, Male, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Social Support, Geriatric Assessment
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