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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Depression and cognitive functioning as predictors of social network size | | Author(s) | Jamie N Shouse, Sarah V Rowe, Benjamin T Mast |
| Journal title | Clinical Gerontologist, vol 36, no 2, March-April 2013 |
| Publisher | Taylor and Francis, March-April 2013 |
| Pages | pp 147-161 |
| Source | http://www.tandfonline.com |
| Keywords | Depression ; Cognitive processes ; Cognitive impairment ; Social contacts ; Personal relationships ; Informal care. |
| Annotation | Social networks change with age and may affect physical and mental health outcomes. Few studies have examined the influence of cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms on social network sizes among older adults. This study examined the impact of cognition and depression on the social networks of 79 community dwelling older people. Social network sizes were measured using Antonucci's Convoy method. Consistent with predictions, participants with lower cognitive functioning scores had fewer outer circle social contacts. Higher depressive symptomatology was associated with smaller numbers of close, inner circle relationships. These results suggest potentially greater network changes in older adults experiencing depressive symptomatology or cognitive decline, albeit in different aspects of the social network (close vs. peripheral relationships). Possessing fewer emotionally rewarding close relationships may be particularly difficult for older individuals relying on emotional and instrumental support. These findings also imply that poorer cognitive functioning may accelerate the reduction of outer circle networks. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-130503201 A |
| Classmark | ENR: DA: E4: TOA: DS: P6 |
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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