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Social networks and self-rated health in two French-speaking Canadian community dwelling populations over 65

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  • Zunzunegui, M. V.
  • Koné, A.
  • Johri, M.
  • Béland, F.
  • Wolfson, C.
  • Bergman, H.

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the associations between older persons' health status and their social integration and social networks (family, children, friends and community), in two French-speaking, Canadian community dwelling populations aged 65 years and over, using the conceptual framework proposed by Berkman and Thomas. Data were taken from two 1995 surveys conducted in the city of Moncton (n=1518) and the Montreal neighbourhood of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (n=1500). Social engagement (a cumulative index of social activities), networks consisting of friends, family and children and social support were measured using validated scales. Multiple logistic regressions based on structured inclusion of potentially mediating variables were fitted to estimate the associations between health status and social networks. Self-rated health was better for those with a high level of social integration and a strong network of friends in both locations. In addition, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve family and children networks were positively associated with good health, though the effect of friend networks was attenuated in the presence of disability, good social support from children was associated with good health. Age, sex and education were included as antecedent variables; smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, locus of control and depressive symptoms were considered intermediary variables between social networks and health. In conclusion, social networks, integration and support demonstrated unique positive associations with health. The nature of these associations may vary between populations and cultures.

Suggested Citation

  • Zunzunegui, M. V. & Koné, A. & Johri, M. & Béland, F. & Wolfson, C. & Bergman, H., 2004. "Social networks and self-rated health in two French-speaking Canadian community dwelling populations over 65," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 58(10), pages 2069-2081, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:58:y:2004:i:10:p:2069-2081
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    Cited by:

    1. Cheng, Cheng, 2017. "Anticipated support from children and later-life health in the United States and China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 201-209.
    2. Mario U Pérez-Zepeda & Emmanuelle Belanger & Maria–Victoria Zunzunegui & Susan Phillips & Alban Ylli & Jack Guralnik, 2016. "Assessing the Validity of Self-Rated Health with the Short Physical Performance Battery: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the International Mobility in Aging Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Parsons, Margaret A. & Askland, Kathleen D., 2007. "Determinants of prostate cancer stage in northern New England: USA Franco-American contextual effects," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(10), pages 2018-2030, November.
    4. Zunzunegui, Maria-Victoria & Alvarado, Beatriz-Eugenia & Béland, François & Vissandjee, Bilkis, 2009. "Explaining health differences between men and women in later life: A cross-city comparison in Latin America and the Caribbean," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 235-242, January.
    5. Cheng, Sheung-Tak & Chan, Alfred C.M., 2006. "Social support and self-rated health revisited:: Is there a gender difference in later life?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(1), pages 118-122, July.
    6. Solveig A. Cunningham & Gloria L. Beckles & Jannie Nielsen, 2022. "Declines in Health and Support Between Parents and Adult Children: Insights from Diabetes," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(4), pages 1699-1723, August.
    7. Levasseur, Mélanie & Richard, Lucie & Gauvin, Lise & Raymond, Émilie, 2010. "Inventory and analysis of definitions of social participation found in the aging literature: Proposed taxonomy of social activities," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(12), pages 2141-2149, December.
    8. Perruccio, Anthony V. & Badley, Elizabeth M. & Hogg-Johnson, Sheilah & Davis, Aileen M., 2010. "Characterizing self-rated health during a period of changing health status," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 71(9), pages 1636-1643, November.
    9. Laure Sabatier & Spencer Moore, 2015. "Do Our Friends and Relatives Help Us Better Assess Our Health? Examining the Role of Social Networks in the Correspondence Between Self-Rated Health and Having Metabolic Syndrome," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(3), pages 21582440156, September.
    10. Bennett, Rachel & Chepngeno-Langat, Gloria & Evandrou, Maria & Falkingham, Jane, 2015. "Resilience in the face of post-election violence in Kenya: The mediating role of social networks on wellbeing among older people in the Korogocho informal settlement, Nairobi," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 159-167.
    11. Gorman, Bridget K. & Sivaganesan, Ahilan, 2007. "The role of social support and integration for understanding socioeconomic disparities in self-rated health and hypertension," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(5), pages 958-975, September.
    12. Khaksar, Seyed Mohammad Sadegh & Khosla, Rajiv & Chu, Mei Tai & Shahmehr, Fatemeh S., 2016. "Service Innovation Using Social Robot to Reduce Social Vulnerability among Older People in Residential Care Facilities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 113(PB), pages 438-453.
    13. Achraf Ammar & Hamdi Chtourou & Omar Boukhris & Khaled Trabelsi & Liwa Masmoudi & Michael Brach & Bassem Bouaziz & Ellen Bentlage & Daniella How & Mona Ahmed & Patrick Mueller & Notger Mueller & Hsen , 2020. "COVID-19 Home Confinement Negatively Impacts Social Participation and Life Satisfaction: A Worldwide Multicenter Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-17, August.
    14. Jung-A Lee & Jong Heon Park & Myung Kim, 2015. "Social and Physical Environments and Self-Rated Health in Urban and Rural Communities in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.
    15. Wiles, Janine L. & Rolleston, Anna & Pillai, Avinesh & Broad, Joanna & Teh, Ruth & Gott, Merryn & Kerse, Ngaire, 2017. "Attachment to place in advanced age: A study of the LiLACS NZ cohort," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 27-37.

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