Maria Johanna Christina Schouten

Manifold connections: the Minahasa region in Indonesia

This paper focuses on eastern Indonesia, and in particular on the Minahasa region of northern Sulawesi. It examines the links of this region with others in the archipelago, as well as with the state, from the early modern period through to the present, and tests the usefulness of the concepts of ‘centre’ and ‘periphery’ in understanding the nature of those links. A centre–periphery relationship is commonly defined in terms of geography, economy or power relations, but, as the paper argues, the definition can also rest on cultural or social factors. The paper also suggests the possibility of the simultaneous or successive existence of several centres and many peripheries.

Redes sociais e qualidade de vida dos idosos: uma revisão e análise crítica da literatura

Several studies have documented the importance of social networks for quality of life (QL) in old age. This article presents a review and critical analysis of the literature on the relationship between the social networks of the elderly and their QL/well-being. A survey using interdisciplinary search engines [Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scholar Google, Science Direct and Online Knowledge Library (b-on)], followed by an in-depth examination of the 37 documents subsequently identified, selected based on content, the geographical context of the study and its publication date, suggested a number of tendencies. In the first place, networks of friends have a greater impact on the QL/well-being of elderly persons than family networks. Secondly, the positive effect of the existence of more than one type of relationship was revealed (such as simultaneous friendships and family relationships). Finally, literature suggests emotional closeness has a positive impact on QL/well-being. The present study exposed the lack of longitudinal studies into the causality between network characteristics and QL/well-being. It also revealed the lack of research on the relationship between social networks and QL/well-being in elderly persons living alone. One problematic aspect relates to the fact that few studies provide a definition of the QL measures they adopt, or the rationale behind the manner of their operationalization of the concept.Several studies have documented the importance of social networks for quality of life (QL) in old age. This article presents a review and critical analysis of the literature on the relationship between the social networks of the elderly and their QL/well-being. A survey using interdisciplinary search engines [Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scholar Google, Science Direct and Online Knowledge Library (b-on)], followed by an in-depth examination of the 37 documents subsequently identified, selected based on content, Palavras-chave: Idoso. Rede Social. Qualidade de Vida. Bem-estar. Revisão. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1981-22562016019.160017