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Cited by 196Aging, Health, and DisabilityHealth disparities and outcomesAging and Gerontology Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 39 of the 39 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Social support network structure in older people: Underlying dimensions and association with psychological and physical health

Golden, Jeannette, Conroy, Ronán M., Lawlor, Brian A.·2009·Psychology, Health & Medicine
DOI 10.1080/13548500902730135
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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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Crossref · 10.1080/13548500902730135

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  1. 10.1037/0033-2909.117.3.497 · DOI · Paper page
  2. Giles L. C., 2002, J Cancer Epidemiol Prev, 7, 195

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Metadata

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.
ORCID
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
DOI
10.1080/13548500902730135
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 › Developmental and Educational 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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