TY  - JOUR
AU  - Peleg, Shira
AU  - Litwin, Howard
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/08/12
TI  - Differential Effects of Social Network on Health in Later Life and the Moderating Role of Depression
JO  - OBM Geriatrics
SP  - 067
VL  - 03
IS  - 03
AB  - Background: We studied the differential effects of social network characteristics on limitations with activities (LWA) and quality of life (QOL) among older adults, and the moderating role of depression. Methods: Data from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were examined. Results: Emotional closeness, satisfaction with the social network, and contact intensity predicted QOL, but not LWA. Moreover, depression moderated the effects of network characteristics on these health outcomes, such that the effect of emotional closeness on QOL was significant among low-depressed individuals compared to high depressed individuals, as was the effect of contact intensity and satisfaction on LWA. In addition, greater geographic distance predicted lower LWA when levels of depression were high compared to low. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of recognizing the differential effects of different social network characteristics on health outcomes, but also to take into account ones’ internal resources, i.e., depression levels, in predicting these outcomes among older adults. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
SN  - 2638-1311
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903067
DO  - 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903067
ID  - Peleg2019
ER  -