Social Network Size and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Future Time Perspective Among Community-Dwelling Retirees.

Zhen Zhang,Jianxin Zhang,Yang Yang,Na Zhao

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02590

Abstract

An accumulating body of literature has confirmed the effect of social networks on the subjective well-being (SWB). However, the relevant mechanism for the relationship between them requires further exploration. This research examined the association between social network size and SWB and the mediating role of future time perspective (FTP) among Chinese retirees. We modeled the relationship between social network size, FTP, and SWB by two sub-studies. SWB was indicated by life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and meaning in life. FTP comprised two dimensions: focusing on opportunity in future and focusing on limitation of time. Study 1 used the number of Spring Festival greeters, and Study 2 used the size of networks based on common actions (discussion, mutual helping, and social participation) as indicators of network size to examine the association and mediating effect among 1097 and 335 community-dwelling retirees, respectively. Both studies revealed that social network size was positively associated with SWB; FTP-opportunity but not FTP-limitation mediated above associations, when possible confounding variables were controlled for. Findings confirm relevance of social networks in the SWB of retirees, and provide a new insight into the role of FTP as an explanatory mechanism.

Highlights

Previous studies have generally confirmed that social networks are powerful determinants of subjective well-being (SWB) of elderly (Pinquart and Sörensen, 2000; Huxhold et al, 2013)
Measurement Model Test and Correlation Analyses An initial test of the measurement model revealed that four latent and 17 observed variables demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data: χ2(113) = 383.682, χ2/113 = 3.395, CFI = 0.949, TLI = 0.936, RMESA = 0.048, SRMR = 0.038
Measurement Model Test and Correlation Analyses The measurement model test revealed that four latent variables and 17 observed variables demonstrated an acceptable fit to the data: χ2(113) = 221.385, χ2/113 = 1.959; CFI = 0.946; TLI = 0.933; RMSEA = 0.055; SRMR = 0.056

Summary

Introduction

Previous studies have generally confirmed that social networks are powerful determinants of subjective well-being (SWB) of elderly (Pinquart and Sörensen, 2000; Huxhold et al, 2013). The size of a social network affected or were related to the well-being and quality of life of older adults (Rafnsson et al, 2015; Wang, 2016; Moorman and Boerner, 2017; Schwartz and Litwin, 2019). Time perspective, especially future time perspective (FTP), has been considered as Social Network and Subjective Well-Being a vital factor affecting one’s mental health and well-being (Sailer et al, 2014; Webster et al, 2014; Hoppmann et al, 2017). Up to now, few empirical studies examine the relational mechanisms among social network, time perspective, and SWB, simultaneously. Size of social network can render one’s FTP more expansive and less limited, subsequently improving SWB of older adults

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