Social network type and health-related behaviors: evidence from an American national survey.
This study examined the association between social network type and engagement in physical activity, alcohol abuse and use of complementary and alternative medicine by older Americans. Data from the National Social Life, Health & Aging Project were employed. Multivariate logistic regressions conducted separately for each health behavior showed that older people embedded in less resourceful network types were at greater risk for alcohol abuse, physical inactivity and less use of complementary and alternative medicine, net of the effects of sociodemographic characteristics, health, and the quality of the social relationships. The study underscores the importance of the construct of social network type for understanding healthy lifestyle in late life.
Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem 91905-IL, Israel. sharonshi@mscc.huji.ac.il
Sharon
S
Shiovitz-Ezra
Howard
H
Litwin
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States