Social Networks in Late Adulthood

social network

consists of the people with whom one is directly involved

convoy model of social relations

suggests that the social connections that people accumulate differ in levels of closeness

convoy model of social relations

suggests that the social connections are held together by exchanges in social support

convoy model of social relations

relationships with a spouse and family members, people in the innermost circle of the convoy, should REMAIN STABLE throughout the lifespan

peripheral relationships

type of relationship:

includes coworkers, neighbors, and acquaintances, people in the periphery of the convoy

peripheral relationships

type of relationship:

may end due to changes in jobs, social roles, location, or other life events

peripheral relationships

type of relationship:

more vulnerable to changing situations than family relationships

peripheral relationships

type of relationship:

frequency, type, and reciprocity of the social exchanges with peripheral relationships decrease with age

type of relationship:

type of relationship:

socioemotional selectivity theory

focuses on changes in motivation for actively seeking social contact with others

socioemotional selectivity theory

proposes that with increasing age, our motivational goals change based on how much time one has left to live

socioemotional selectivity theory

focus on the emotional aspects of relationships

socioemotional selectivity theory

prioritize time spent with emotionally close significant others

socioemotional selectivity theory

older adults have smaller networks compared to young adults, and tend to avoid negative interactions

adult children

have financial assistance/housing from their older parents

from-to

more support going ___________ the older parent ____________ the younger adult children

(2-)

emotionally meaningful

older adults wanted their relationship with their children to be more _____________

friendships

may be based purely on a sense of connection or the enjoyment of being together

loneliness

discrepancy between the social contact a person has and the contacts a person wants

loneliness

a lack of companionship and isolation

social isolation

Women tend to experience loneliness due to ____________

emotional isolation

men tend to experience loneliness due to ____________

loneliness

can be accompanied by a lack of self-worth, impatience, desperation, and depression

solitude

involves gaining self-awareness, taking care of the self, being comfortable alone, and pursuing one's interests

perceived social isolation

loneliness is _______________

loneliness

linked to increase in risk for dementia, stroke or coronary heart disease, more stress hormones, depression, anxiety, lack encouragement from others to engage in healthy behaviors

COVID-19 pandemic

substantial increase in loneliness among older adults = lack of companionship, feeling isolated, having infrequent social contacts

chronic loneliness

can adversely affect memory, mental and physical health, and longevity