Kimberly J. Stoeckel

Social networks and subjective wellbeing among older Europeans: does age make a difference?

ABSTRACT This inquiry examined whether social networks are associated with wellbeing among older-old people in the same way that they are among younger-old persons. The study focused on family respondents, aged 60 and older, from the second wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (N=14,728). The statistical analysis regressed two wellbeing measures (the CASP quality of life scale and life satisfaction) on a range of social network variables from three domains: family structure and interaction, social exchange and social engagement. In addition, the inquiry viewed these associations through the lens of age-based interaction terms, controlling for background characteristics, health status and region. The analysis revealed that the associations between subjective wellbeing and social network vary according to age. Among younger-old respondents, aged 60–79, more significant associations were found between social network variables and wellbeing outcomes in comparison to older-old respondents, aged 80 or older. Differences between age groups also emerged with the direction of the associations between social network variables and subjective wellbeing. The study results reveal that social networks do matter in very old age, but not in the same way as among younger-old persons. This finding is one indication of the differences that may emerge between third-age adults and those approaching the fourth age.

Relationship status and depressive symptoms among older co-resident caregivers

Objectives: Informal caregiving has been found to be burdensome and is associated with depression among older caregivers. These outcomes are often accentuated when caregivers and care recipients co-reside. The current study aims to examine whether the status of the relationship between caregiver and care recipient lessens the negative outcomes commonly associated with informal caregiving.Methods: The study focused on the subsample of co-resident caregivers (N = 3280) in the fourth wave of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe, of persons aged 50 or above, collected in 2011. A logged count of depressive symptoms, measured on the EURO-D scale, was hierarchically regressed on relationship status, measured as relationship type and closeness (confidant) controlling for sociodemographic background, health and country.Results: Co-resident caregivers of spouse and children experienced more depressive symptoms than other relationship co-resident caregiving dyads. However, those who cared for a confidant experienced fewer depressive symptoms, independent of the relationship type.Conclusions: The provision of informal care is stressful and results in a heightened experience of depressive symptoms. Nonetheless, the type and closeness of the relationship between the caregiver and the care recipient can lessen caregiver depression. When informal caregivers care for a confidant, the emotional bond may reduce the depressive symptoms.

Social Network, Activity Participation, and Cognition A Complex Relationship

This study examined how two domains of engagement—social network and activity participation—associate with objective and subjective cognitive function in later life. Specific consideration was given as to how these two spheres intersect in regard to recall and memory. The analytic sample included Europeans aged 60 and older drawn from the fourth wave of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe in which a new name-generated social network inventory was implemented. Multivariate analyses revealed that activity participation yielded stronger positive associations with word recall and self-rated memory than social network alone. However, the interactions indicate that this association lessened in strength for both the objective and subjective cognitive outcome measures as social network resources increased. The findings suggest that the social component of activity participation may be partially contributing to the positive role that such engagement has on cognitive well-being in later life.

The Social Networks of Older Europeans

This chapter considers the nature and the function of social networks among older Europeans at the present time. Using data from the second wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, in 13 countries, our empirical analysis addresses three major research questions. First, what is the current composition and state of social networks among older European adults? Second, do regional differences prevail across Europe in the realm of social networks? And third, are social networks indeed related to a good old age, as measured by a state of well-being in late life? The results show that older European adults are generally socially connected and that family ties are still quite prevalent in their lives. However, only some of them are actively engaged in the exchange of help of some kind, whether as providers or recipients. The study also shows significant regional differences in the structure of social networks and in their dynamics. Compared with older people in the West of Europe, older people in the South and in the East generally have more intimate familial ties and exchanges. Those in the North are less connected, in this regard, but can still be said to maintain intimacy at a distance. Finally, the analysis demonstrates that the social networks of older Europeans are associated with their well-being in late life to varying degrees across the regions of Europe. Social networks matter most in Western Europe—this region has the greatest range of network characteristics related to well-being, all else considered. Social networks are important for well-being to a lesser degree in the East and to an even lesser extent in the North.

Engagement and social capital as elements of active ageing: an analysis of older europeans

This study addresses the relative contribution of social capital and engagement in activity to life satisfaction and quality of life among older Europeans. It examines data from respondents aged 50 and older from the fourth wave of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (N=57,234). Employing hierarchical OLS regressions, the findings show that social network ties and activity participation are both related to positive well-being. However, consideration of their interaction reveals that the association between activity participation and well-being varies according to the extent of social capital. Respondents without meaningful social ties benefit most from engagement in a greater diversity of activities. In contrast, respondents with a greater number of social ties experience relatively fewer gains in well-being from activity participation. Thus, it may not be activity, per se, that improves the quality of late life, but rather the social components of the activities in which older adults are involved.

3. Accessibility to neighbourhood services and well-being among older Europeans

Access within a neighbourhood to local services is a key component of neighbourhood quality and can be perceived as an indicator of social inclusion. Not only is the ability to reach such services as grocery stores, physicians and banks essential for managing daily living tasks and for maintaining residential independence, it also fosters a sense of belonging to the neighbourhood. Moreover, neighbourhood accessibility encourages social interaction with neighbours and with service personnel. Therefore, the construct of “neighbourhood service accessibility” can serve as a latent measure of social inclusion, especially among older adults. In later life when physical impairment and health conditions can impede abilities to handle distances, ease of access to services becomes even more important (Wahl et al. 2012). Neighbourhood services which can be easily reached and are within close geographical proximity can lessen the difficulties brought on by limited mobility that many older adults experience when they have declines in health. In addition, accessibility to local services is an important indicator of residing in an age-friendly community. In such settings, “aging in place” unfolds with greater ease and to a greater degree than in neighbourhoods having only a paucity of local services (Scharlach et al. 2014). Thus, accessibility to neighbourhood services not only facilitates independence in attaining needed goods and assistance, it also furthers the sense of living within a hospitable environment which, in turn, promotes feelings of social inclusion with those living nearby. Accessibility of services within neighbourhood settings is usually greater in urban settings in which convenient public transportation is available (Cao et al.