| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, Vol 54, Issue 5 S302-S311, Copyright © 1999 by The Gerontological Society of America
ARTICLES |
LM Martire, R Schulz, MB Mittelmark and JT Newsom
Department of Psychiatry and University Center for Social and Urban Research, University of Pittsburgh, USA. martire+@pitt.edu
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the degree of individual change in structural indicators of social support (family network contact and close friend network contact) and functional indicators of social support (belonging, appraisal, and tangible support) during late life. METHODS: Using a large population-based sample of older adults, hierarchical linear modeling was applied to examine the extent of change in social contact and support as well as sociodemographic characteristics (age, race, gender, and education) that might explain individual variability in contact and support at baseline and over time. RESULTS: Consistent with predictions, small yet significant increases were observed in belonging support and tangible support. Contrary to predictions, no evidence was found for significant individual change in family network contact, close friend network contact, or appraisal support. Sociodemographic characteristics were more consistent predictors of variability in contact and support at baseline than variability over time. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study add to a growing literature suggesting that late life is not typically characterized by a decline in important social resources.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K. A. Ertel, M. M. Glymour, and L. F. Berkman Social networks and health: A life course perspective integrating observational and experimental evidence Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, February 1, 2009; 26(1): 73 - 92. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Mavandadi, K. S. Rook, and J. T. Newsom Positive and Negative Social Exchanges and Disability in Later Life: An Investigation of Trajectories of Change J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., November 1, 2007; 62(6): S361 - S370. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Lubben, E. Blozik, G. Gillmann, S. Iliffe, W. von Renteln Kruse, J. C. Beck, and A. E. Stuck Performance of an abbreviated version of the lubben social network scale among three European community-dwelling older adult populations. Gerontologist, August 1, 2006; 46(4): 503 - 513. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Litwin The Association of Disability, Sociodemographic Background, and Social Network Type in Later Life J Aging Health, May 1, 2003; 15(2): 391 - 408. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
