Research article summary (published 7 Oct 2009):

Social network types and subjective well-being in Chinese older adults.

Full Abstract

The study examined social network types in a sample of 1,005 older Chinese adults in Hong Kong and the networks' relations to subjective well-being. Given the nature of kinship in Chinese society, we broke down social support provision by closeness of blood ties (immediate kin, distant kin, and non-kin). Using K-means cluster analysis, we identified 5 network types: diverse, friend focused, restricted, family focused, and distant family. The latter was characterized by few immediate kin but mostly distant kin. Diverse and family-focused networks were most beneficial to well-being, whereas restricted networks were least. Distant family networks were associated with only marginally lower well-being than family-focused networks and were comparable to friend-focused networks. Results suggested the importance of the extended family in support provision for Chinese older adults, especially in the absence of immediate kin and friends. Implications of the present findings for other cultural groups are discussed.

Author information

Author/s: Cheng, Sheung-Tak (ST); Lee, Coty K L (CK); Chan, Alfred C M (AC); Leung, Edward M F (EM); Lee, Jik-Joen (JJ);

Affiliation: Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. takcheng(-atsign-)ied.edu.hk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences (J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 64 (issue 6) : pp 713-22

Dates: Created 2009/10/19; Completed 2009/10/27;

PMID: 19820232, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 10/27/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MeSH Headings (categories) shown below.

Aged Aged, 80 and over Aging - ethnology; psychology Cross-Cultural Comparison Family Relations Female Friends - psychology

Hong Kong Humans Leisure Activities Male Middle Aged Quality of Life - psychology Social Support

Note: Bold headings indicate primary MeSH headings or qualifiers.

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