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Isolation or Replenishment? The Case of Partner Network Exclusivity and Partner Loss in Later Life

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  • Haosen Sun
  • Markus H Schafer
  • Jessica Kelley

Abstract

ObjectivesPeople’s partners and spouses often provide a wide range of essential emotional and practical support. As crucial as they may be, a nontrivial segment of the older population appears to limit close discussions to their partner alone, a phenomenon we term “partner network exclusivity.” This network structure could leave people vulnerable to partner losses and subsequent social isolation. The present research has 3 aims: (a) examine the prevalence of partner-exclusive networks among European older adults; (b) consider who is most likely to inhabit such networks; and (c) investigate whether and how individuals in such precarious networks rebalance them in case of partner losses.MethodsThe analysis uses Wave 4 (2011) and Wave 6 (2015) of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to perform logistic regression on one’s possession of partner-exclusive networks and the addition of core ties.ResultsMore than a quarter of partnered respondents (28.1%) are in partner-exclusive core networks. Men, childless individuals, and those with financial difficulties are most likely to occupy such networks. Individuals in partner exclusivity are especially likely to enlist additional ties upon partner loss. Nevertheless, men and individuals at early old age are relatively unlikely to rebalance their core networks in case of partner death.DiscussionThis study provides new evidence that network replenishment following relationship disruptions is plausible even for those from precarious network settings. Nevertheless, widowhood produces patterns of vulnerability for a subset of older adults in partner-exclusive core networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Haosen Sun & Markus H Schafer & Jessica Kelley, 2023. "Isolation or Replenishment? The Case of Partner Network Exclusivity and Partner Loss in Later Life," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 78(4), pages 705-717.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:78:y:2023:i:4:p:705-717.
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    1. Kristine J. Ajrouch & Alysia Y. Blandon & Toni C. Antonucci, 2005. "Social Networks Among Men and Women: The Effects of Age and Socioeconomic Status," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 60(6), pages 311-317.
    2. Cornwell, Benjamin & Laumann, Edward O., 2015. "The health benefits of network growth: New evidence from a national survey of older adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 94-106.
    3. Shannon T. Mejía & Karen Hooker, 2014. "Relationship Processes Within the Social Convoy: Structure, Function, and Social Goals," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 69(3), pages 376-386.
    4. Yunqing Li, 2007. "Recovering From Spousal Bereavement in Later Life: Does Volunteer Participation Play a Role?," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 62(4), pages 257-266.
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