[Analyses of the social networks for the elderly through the Manheim interview].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse who are the people giving psychological and instrumental support to the elderly, as well as potential differences among these caregivers according to age and/or sex of the elderly.


METHODS
Manheim interview for social support was used to gather the opinions of 101 elder people (>65 years) living in Valencia (Spain), from January to May, 2006.


RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were found on both psychological and instrumental support depending on age and sex of the interviewed elderly.


CONCLUSIONS
With respect to sex differences old men seek for support mainly from their partners, while son and daughters are the main source of support for old women. With respect to age, there are changes in the figures giving support as age increases. Partners are the main figure to give support within the 65-75 years, but its importance decreases with age, while sons and daughters became more important as age of the elderly increases.
Meléndez-Moral
Juan Carlos
JC
Departamento de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Espana. melendez@uv.es
Tomás-Miguel
José Manuel
JM
Navarro-Pardo
Esperanza
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D032721:Adult Children; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013030:Spain; D018454:Spouses