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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Targeting social support
— a network assessment of the convoy model of social support | | Author(s) | Valerie A Haines, Linda J Henderson |
| Journal title | Canadian Journal on Aging, vol 21, no 2, Summer 2002 |
| Pages | pp 243-256 |
| Keywords | Informal care ; Social contacts ; Theory. |
| Annotation | One of the most influential applications of the concepts, methods and measures of social network analysis to the study of social support transactions of older people is the convoy model of social support. The authors draw on recent debates in network methodology to provide an assessment of the convoy model that explores the role of weak ties in the support networks of older people. The social networks generated by the target diagram which operationalises the convoy model display the structural and functional characteristics set out in its theoretical arguments. But not all of the ties constituting these networks are conduits of social support. More importantly, these social networks do not include all supporting and supported others. The target diagram identifies core support networks; therefore, support flowing through weak ties is missed when it is used to set boundaries of support networks. Expanding our picture of older people's support networks to take systematic account of weak ties and the emotional aid, instrumental assistance and companionship that flow through them will enhance the effectiveness of support interventions that target older people. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-021101217 A |
| Classmark | P6: TOA: 4D |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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