title: Social relations and resident health in assisted living: an application of the convoy model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article, based on analysis of data from a mixed methods study, builds on a growing body of assisted living (AL) research focusing on the link between residents' social relationships and health. A key aim of this analysis, which uses the social convoy model as a conceptual and methodological framework, was to examine the relative importance of coresident relationships and other network ties to residents' subjective well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed data from structured face-to-face interviews and social network mapping conducted with 192 AL residents in 9 AL facilities in Georgia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Having a higher proportion of family ties in one's network was the single most important predictor of well-being, whereas possessing some ties to coresidents and nonfamily members outside AL also had a positive effect. Findings showed that relationships among coresidents generally were important although not emotionally close. Having more close ties was associated with lower well-being, suggesting that not all close ties are beneficial. The majority (84%) of residents' closet ties were with family members.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings illuminate the crucial role families play in residents' overall health and well-being and demonstrate the importance of helping residents develop and maintain a range of network ties, including "weak" ties with coresidents and nonfamily outside AL.
authors.affiliation: Division of General and Geriatric Medicine, Wesley Woods Health Center at Emory University, 1841 Clifton Road, NE, Suite 530, Atlanta, Georgia 30329, USA. molly.m.perkins@emory.edu
authors.forename: Molly M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.forename: Mary M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: Candace L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Kemp
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hollingsworth
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population