Social network types and subjective well-being in Chinese older adults
Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences
Publication Date
11-1-2009
Volume
64
Issue
6
First Page
713
Last Page
722
Keywords
Elderly, Hong Kong Chinese, Kinship, Social network, Subjective well-being
Abstract
The study examined social network types in a sample of 1,0115 older Chinese adults in Hong Kong and the networks' relations to subjective well-being. Given the nature of kinship in Chinese society, we broke down social support provision by closeness of blood ties (immediate kin, distant kin, and non-kin). Using K-means cluster analysis, we identified 5 network types: diverse, friend focused, restricted, family focused, and distant family. The latter was characterized by few immediate kin but mostly distant kin. Diverse and family-focused networks were most beneficial to well-being, whereas restricted networks were least. Distant family networks were associated with only marginally lower well-being than family-focused networks and were comparable to friend-focused networks. Results suggested the importance of the extended family in support provision for Chinese older adults, especially in the absence of immediate kin and friends. Implications of the present findings for other cultural groups are discussed.
DOI
10.1093/geronb/gbp075
Print ISSN
10795014
E-ISSN
17585368
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2009 The Gerontological Society of America
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Publisher’s Version
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Cheng, S.-T., Lee, C. K. L., Chan, A. C. M., Leung, E. M. F., & Lee, J.-J. (2009). Social network types and subjective well-being in Chinese older adults. Journals of Gerontology. Series B: Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences, 64(6), 713-722. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbp075