Centre for Policy on Ageing



Factors which enhance or inhibit social support — a mixed-methods analysis of social networks in older women
Author(s)	Deirdre McLaughlin, Jon Adams, Dimitrios Vagenas, Annette Dobson
Journal title	Ageing and Society, vol 31, part 1, January 2011
Pages	pp 18-33
Source	http://www.journals.cambridge.org/aso
Keywords	Older women ; Informal care ; Health [elderly] ; Well being ; Longitudinal surveys ; Australia.
Annotation	Research indicates that older people with a strong perception of social support have lower mortality and morbidity and better self-rated health in later life. However, few studies have thoroughly examined the factors that inhibit or enhance social support. This study used both quantitative data and qualitative texts to explore older women's social networks. It used participants from the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Findings revealed that larger social networks associated with better mental health, widowhood, illness or death of a family member, and no mobility problems. Women who were not Australian-born, had sight problems, or had moved house, were more likely to have smaller social networks. The findings highlight the importance to older women of being able to access their social networks to gain both psychological and emotional benefits. (JL).
Accession Number	CPA-110224002 A
Classmark	BD: P6: CC: D:F:5HH: 3J: 7YA
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.