TY - JOUR
T1 - Associations Between Social Connectedness, Emotional Well-Being, and Self-Rated Health Among Older Adults
T2 - Difference by Relationship Status
AU - Ermer, Ashley E.
AU - Proulx, Christine M.
PY - 2019/4/1
Y1 - 2019/4/1
N2 - The present study investigates the association between social connectedness (i.e., social network characteristics, family and friend support, and social ties with neighbors), emotional well-being, and self-rated health and whether these associations differ based on respondents’ relationship status among adults aged 62 and older. A series of multigroup generalized structural equation models (GSEMs) were conducted using data from the National Social, Health, and Aging Project. Social connectedness items were mostly positively associated with emotional well-being and self-rated health, and several of these associations are stronger for older adults who are unpartnered versus those who are cohabiting or married. Cohabiting and married individuals do not appear to have the same associations between social network size, friend support, and emotional well-being compared to unpartnered older adults. The present study lends support for how a variety of social supports are vital for older adults and their well-being.
AB - The present study investigates the association between social connectedness (i.e., social network characteristics, family and friend support, and social ties with neighbors), emotional well-being, and self-rated health and whether these associations differ based on respondents’ relationship status among adults aged 62 and older. A series of multigroup generalized structural equation models (GSEMs) were conducted using data from the National Social, Health, and Aging Project. Social connectedness items were mostly positively associated with emotional well-being and self-rated health, and several of these associations are stronger for older adults who are unpartnered versus those who are cohabiting or married. Cohabiting and married individuals do not appear to have the same associations between social network size, friend support, and emotional well-being compared to unpartnered older adults. The present study lends support for how a variety of social supports are vital for older adults and their well-being.
KW - emotional well-being
KW - older adults
KW - relationship status
KW - self-rated health
KW - social networks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85058843253&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0164027518815260
DO - 10.1177/0164027518815260
M3 - Article
C2 - 30486747
AN - SCOPUS:85058843253
SN - 0164-0275
VL - 41
SP - 336
EP - 361
JO - Research on Aging
JF - Research on Aging
IS - 4
ER -