Background: Population aging is a social and economic concern for China. It is essential to understand types of social support networks available to elderly people living in China. Objectives: The aim of this research was to identify network types among Chinese older adults and to examine the differential relationship of the network types, health outcomes and health-related behaviors. Methods: Secondary analysis of data compiled by the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (n = 9749) was extracted. Network types were derived through latent class analysis with Mplus 6.12 software. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, multiple logistic regression and path analysis. Results: Four types of social networks were identified, these included private (16%), non-couple-focused (15%), couple-focused (47%) and diverse (22%). Compared with elders belonging to other networks, elders in diverse network possessed the healthiest status and the highest health-related behaviors score. Health-related behaviors played a role in mediating social network types to health outcomes was identified. Findings were aligned to the conceptual model pathway proposed by Berkman (2000). Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that types of social networks for elders are significantly correlated to health-related behaviors and health outcomes. Detail and understanding of the correlations are useful to inform healthcare practice and policy and to assist the development of appropriate interpersonal interventions.
基金:
National Natural Science Foundation of China [71573097]; National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health [R01AG023627]
第一作者单位:[1]Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Tongji Med Coll, Tongji Hosp, Wuhan, Hubei, Peoples R China
通讯作者:
推荐引用方式(GB/T 7714):
Xiao Qi,Wu Meiliyang,Zeng Tieying.Social support networks in Chinese older adults: health outcomes and health related behaviors: a path analysis[J].AGING & MENTAL HEALTH.2019,23(10):1382-1390.doi:10.1080/13607863.2018.1488941.
APA:
Xiao, Qi,Wu, Meiliyang&Zeng, Tieying.(2019).Social support networks in Chinese older adults: health outcomes and health related behaviors: a path analysis.AGING & MENTAL HEALTH,23,(10)
MLA:
Xiao, Qi,et al."Social support networks in Chinese older adults: health outcomes and health related behaviors: a path analysis".AGING & MENTAL HEALTH 23..10(2019):1382-1390