Friendship Networks Research Articles

FRIENDSHIP NETWORKS AND HEALTH AMONG BLACK AND WHITE DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS

Abstract Social networks and support protect against health risks associated with dementia caregiving. Yet, little is known about the unique role of friends in the dementia caregiving context, as most prior caregiving studies do not differentiate between family and friends when examining social networks and support. The experience of racism and stronger familial values among Black individuals may affect their friendship networks and the implications of friends for health. This study examines racial differences in the number of friends in close social networks, contact frequency and support from friends, and links with mental health among Black and White dementia caregivers. A total of 98 dementia caregivers (63% White Americans, 90% female, Meanage = 62.66) completed baseline interviews in which their social network and mental well-being were assessed. Findings revealed that White caregivers reported more friends in their close networks than Black caregivers. However, there were no racial differences in contact frequency with network friends, or the frequency of receiving practical and emotional help from friends in assisting patients with dementia. Furthermore, receiving emotional support from friends was linked to lower levels of anxiety and depression, and these effects were greater among White caregivers. Together, this study provides a better understanding of racial disparities in friendship networks among dementia caregivers and their implications for mental health.

A DYADIC ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE RESOURCES AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG OLDER KOREAN AMERICAN COUPLES

Abstract Individuals’ health and well-being are often shaped by significant others in their lives in that spousal relationships are particularly important. In dyadic studies among older couples, few studies have examined cognitive health as an outcome variable. Considering the lack of couple research on cognition especially among older immigrant population, the purpose of this study was to examine the cognitive function of community-dwelling older Korean American couples in the U.S. Data were drawn from a survey with older Korean Americans aged 60 and older, collected during 2017−2018 in multiple locations. Using a subset of 252 couples of the survey (individual N = 504), we examined the extent to which one’s cognitive function was associated with the cognitive resources (education, acculturation, friend network, and activity participation) of their own and of their spouse. The analyses with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model showed the differences in the actor- and partner-effects between spouses. For husbands, acculturation was the only significant actor-level predictor to cognitive function. Wives’ cognitive function was associated with a wider array of their own cognitive resources, including education, friend network, and activity participation. The partner effect was only observed in education for husbands, indicating that wives’ higher education was beneficial for their husbands’ cognitive function. Further, the cognitive benefit of higher education was found to be maximized for husbands who also had greater levels of acculturation or activity participation. For practice implications, cognitive resources both in individual and spousal levels could help promote the cognitive health and well-being of older married couples.

SELF-IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS AMONG ADULTS AGING SOLO WITH EARLY DEMENTIA

Abstract People with Alzheimer’s and related dementias require increasing assistance with basic life activities, yet one in three lives alone (i.e., is aging solo). Drawing on a strengths-based perspective, this study seeks to identify barriers and facilitators to successful aging among adults who are aging solo with cognitive impairment or early dementia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 adults aging solo with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or early dementia (age 48-81, mean 69; 80% female; 86% white; 13% black; 7% Hispanic) and used a hybrid inductive/deductive thematic analysis approach to analyze the data. Participants identified self-advocacy, friendship networks, financial resources, and institutions (e.g., assisted living) as potential assets that could address future care needs. Participants described an identity as self-sufficient, fear of being a burden, and worries about exploitation as barriers to help-seeking. Facilitators to care-seeking from friends, neighbors, and others included a belief that helping is rewarding for others, being able to provide reciprocal favors, and framing care-seeking as self-advocacy. Conclusion: Adults aging solo with early dementia face a number of challenges but also exhibit numerous strengths and can use a diversity of skills, attitudes, relationships, and tangible resources to address increasing care needs.

WIDOWHOOD AND COGNITIVE DECLINE: THE ROLES OF FRIENDS AND GENDER

Abstract Widowhood has been identified as a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. Yet less is known about the protective and exacerbating factors of cognitive decline following widowhood. This study examines the roles of friendship characteristics in moderating the negative effect of spousal loss on cognition for older Americans. Drawing on data from the 2006-2018 Health and Retirement Study, we aim to answer two questions: 1) whether friendship network and quality moderate the association between spousal loss and cognitive decline in late life; 2) whether the moderating effect of friendship characteristics on cognition differ for men and women. Cognitive trajectories were assessed every other year from 2006 to 2018 (in total 7 waves). Friend characteristics were assessed in the 2006 psychosocial questionnaire and included the number of close friends, contact frequency, and support and strain from friends. The analytical sample comprised 3,636 respondents aged 50 and older who were married in 2006 and participated in the psychosocial questionnaire. Among the final sample, 370 lost spouses between 2006 and 2010, and 3,266 remained married throughout the observation period. Preliminary results from latent growth curve models showed that several characteristics of friendship including contact frequency and strain from friends are significantly associated with cognitive function at baseline. Furthermore, strain from friends interacted with widowhood status and gender to shape cognitive trajectories. Specifically, higher friendship strain was associated with a faster cognitive decline for the widowed but not for the married a pattern observed only among men but not women

WHO’S ON YOUR TEAM? DEMENTIA FAMILY NETWORKS AND CAREGIVER WELL-BEING

Abstract While caregivers are typically enmeshed in broad networks of family and friends assisting with care, this network is largely neglected, in favor of examining a “primary” caregiver. This study examines types of family/unpaid friend networks for persons living with dementia and how one’s network type relates to caregiver well-being. Data are drawn from the nationally representative 2017 National Health and Aging Trends Study and associated National Study of Caregiving. The sample includes 336 dementia care networks (Network size mean=2.9). We first identified network types using Latent Class Analysis and then examined the extent to which network type is associated with outcomes of caregiver well-being (emotional difficulty, overload) and support (social/care-related support from family and friends) using ANOVA and linear regressions adjusting for caregiver demographics. The three network types identified were: “Specialists”- small networks with little task sharing between members (29.8% of networks), “Small but mighty”- small networks with high task sharing (23.0% of networks), and “Sharers”- large networks with diverse membership and members who share and who specialize in task assistance (47.2%). “Small but mighty” network membership was associated with significantly greater emotional difficulty of caregiving (F=4.0, p<.05) and marginally greater overload (F=2.8, p=.06) than “Specialist” and “Sharer” membership. However, in regressions, only social support significantly differed, with “Sharers” (B=-0.1, p<.01) and “Small but mighty” (B=-.2, p<.05) networks receiving significantly more support than “Specialists”. Networks with more task sharing may require more social support, yet smaller network size, while carrying complex caregiving responsibilities, may take a greater emotional toll.

THE MODERATING ROLE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT IN THE RELATION BETWEEN FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Abstract Background and Objectives Prior research has demonstrated that social support from friends and neighbors can effectively reduce depressive symptoms. However, few studies have investigated how the characteristics of these relationships can alleviate depressive symptoms among older adults with functional limitations. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the moderating effects of characteristics of friends and neighbors relationships on the link between functional limitations and depressive symptoms among Korean older adults. Methods The data used for analyses were obtained from the 2020 Survey of Living Conditions and Welfare Needs of Korean Older Persons, a nationally representative survey. The sample included a total of 9,985 individuals who were 65 years of age or older residing in Korea. Results Results from the moderator analyses revealed that the link between functional limitations and depressive symptoms was influenced by both the number of close friends and neighbors (b = -0.085, p < .01) and the level of satisfaction with relationships with friends and communities (b = 2.052, p < .05). Discussion Satisfaction with relationships with friends and communities may act as a protective factor that mitigates the impact of functional limitations on depressive symptoms. In particular, for older adults with functional limitations, having a larger network of friends and neighbors network is expected to help reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.

"Test-To-PrEP": Assessing Reach and Adoption of a New Approach to Increase HIV Testing and PrEP Knowledge Using HIV Self-Test Kit Distribution Through PrEP Clients' Social Networks.

HIV self-testing (HIVST) can increase the reach of HIV testing. Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) clients may be ideal distributors of HIVST kits and PrEP information within their social networks. This study uses the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework to evaluate the distribution of HIVST bundled with PrEP information ("Test-to-PrEP" kits) among egocentric friendship networks of PrEP users. The study was conducted in Miami from November 2021 to March 2022. Enrolled PrEP clients (egos; n = 100) were offered Test-to-PrEP kits for distribution. Egos and Test-to-PrEP kit users completed brief online surveys. Descriptive statistics are reported for participants, their reported network members, and users of the Test-to-PrEP kits. Logistic and Poisson regression assessed the relationship between characteristics of egos, alters, and the distribution of Test-to-PrEP kits. The 100 enrolled egos reported a total of 414 alters. Participants received 293 Test-to-PrEP kits for distribution with 47 of the 100 participants distributing at least 1 kit. Of those who scanned the quick-response code and responded to the survey, 16.2% reported no previous HIV test and 38.5% reported no prior knowledge of PrEP; 32.5% reported interest in distributing Test-to-PrEP kits, 3 successfully distributed kits, and 2 initiated PrEP. An approach using PrEP clients' social networks can disseminate HIVST bundled with PrEP information to critical populations including individuals lacking knowledge of PrEP or who have never been tested for HIV. Future studies will assess whether this use of network effects can increase reach and efficiency of HIV testing and PrEP information distribution.

The effect of two facets of physicians’ environmental stress on patients’ compliance with COVID-19 guidelines: moderating roles of two types of ego network

Drawing upon the Conservation of Resources Theory, this study seeks to examine the association between two dimensions of environmental stress experienced by physicians and patients’ adherence to COVID–19 guidelines, within the context of a social network framework. A third—wave longitudinal study was employed to gather 439 valid data points in China. Social network analysis and structural equation model were used to test the conceptual model. The results reveal the pivotal role of physicians’ environmental stress related to their work and family contexts in influencing patients’ adherence to COVID–19 guidelines through the mediation of physicians’ information sharing. The ego networks of physicians, encompassing both advice–seeking and friendship ties, were observed to negatively moderate the relationship between stress and resource depletion. Broadly, our study shows the importance of understanding physicians’ stress caused by the working and family environments, as these factorsnot only impact the psychological well–being of physicians but also significantly affect patients’ compliance with COVID–19 guidelines. In addition, the work offers a framework for understanding the impact of the ego advice–seeking network and the ego friend network.

Intimate networks of care: Perceptions of intergenerational family care and experiences of ageing among Chinese midlife and older lesbians and gay men.

This article examines how lesbians and gay men imagine and build their 'intimate networks of care' and negotiate moral expectations towards intergenerational family care as they age. To date, little is known about the strength and complexities of different intimate ties or the role of intergenerational dynamics in shaping ageing sexual minority people's care needs and choices. Based on narrative interviews with ageing Chinese lesbians and gay men, the findings reveal their experiences of constantly juggling their ties with families of origin, moral values around intergenerational care and the urge to receive support from and offer support to chosen networks of people. Participants exercised agency in expanding their networks of care by building friendship and (online and offline) community networks for mutual care and support in later life. Nevertheless, as evidenced by the centrality of ageing with(out) children, and the moral obligation of caring for parents in participants' narratives, participants experienced tensions between enacting what was considered morally right/wrong and developing networks of care that were perceived as emotionally intimate. Linking relational sociology with the sociology of morality, we discuss the conceptual utility of 'intimate networks of care' for sociological theorising of the linkages between sexuality, care and relational lives.

Appetite and family and friends network among community-dwelling older adults: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the stronger correlate of appetite—family or friend networks—in community-dwelling older adults, given that undernutrition can impair physical function, increase mortality, and be influenced by social networks. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture, and Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan, between August 2019 and March 2023. The analysis included 119 participants (women: 79%, mean age: 76.5 ± 5.6 y). A multiple regression analysis was performed, using the scores from the Japanese version of the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ-J) as the dependent variable and family network and friend network as the independent variables. The analysis included social participation, living alone status, sex, age, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, walking speed, and the Japanese version of the 15 Geriatric Depression Scale score as covariates to examine their relationship with appetite. ResultsThe mean value of the SNAQ-J score of the participants was 15.4 ± 1.2. Seven participants (6%) had a loss of appetite. Family network was significantly associated with appetite (B = 0.121, β = 0.266, P <0.05; 95% condidence interval [CI], 0.030–0.212). In the single regression analysis, the friend network was significantly associated with the total score of the SNAQ-J (B = 0.115, P <0.001; 95% CI, 0.052–0.177); however, this association was not observed in the multiple regression analysis (B = 0.002, β = 0.006, P = 0.954; 95% CI, –0.074–0.078). ConclusionAppetite was associated with family networks. Among social networks, focusing on family networks may help prevent the loss of appetite in older adults in Japan.

A tale of girl-sends-nudes-to-boy? Unscripting sexting in a Dutch school

ABSTRACT Most studies of sexting attempt to delineate its main characteristics, to define it and quantify its prominence and its effects. This article studies sexting within a specific ethnographic case. Based on an ethnographic case of a girl’s nude picture being disseminated in a secondary school in the Netherlands, this paper argues that sexting is scripted through media and scientific reports, influencing the way it comes into being and is dealt with in practice. The script emphasizes the girls’ responsibility in sending the picture, taking it to signal a lack of self-confidence, and emphasizes her guilt in its dissemination. On the other hand, it erases several elements, notably the different networks of friends that were tapped into by the actors, and the ‘economy of pictures’ that the picture was part of. Focusing extensively on the days immediately after the picture was spread, as well as on reflections on the event several months later, shows how the sexting script not only describes the phenomenon of sexting, but also prescribes how it is dealt with in practice, and, to a degree, how it produces sexting.

재미 한인 노인 부부들의 인지자원과 인지기능

Cognitive function is an important component of successful aging, facilitating independent living and affecting quality of life in later life, but less is known whether individuals' cognitive resources and cognitive function are interrelated within couples. Using a sample of 252 older Korean immigrant couples (individual N = 504), we examined the extent to which one's cognitive function was associated with one's own cognitive resources (education, acculturation, friend networks, and participation in activities) and those of one's spouse. Analyses based on the actor-partner interdependence model showed differences in actor and partner effects between spouses. Among husbands, acculturation was the only significant actor-level predictor of cognitive function. Among wives, cognitive function was associated with a wider array of their own cognitive resources, including education, friend networks, and participation in activities. No partner effects were observed for wives' cognitive function, but for husbands, partner effects showed wives' higher education was beneficial for husbands' cognitive function. It is speculated that women's education may promote the cognitive function of their spouses via cognitively stimulating conversations and activities of daily life. These findings highlight the importance of considering the gendered cognitive resources in older immigrant couples’ cognitive health.

Impact of social networks and norms on e-cigarette use among adolescents in Southern California: a prospective cohort study

ObjectiveUsing social network analysis, we assessed the mechanisms of social influence that promote e-cigarette use in adolescent networks.MethodsData on health behaviours and friendship networks from a cohort of 10 high...

Association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing in adolescents: a cross-sectional observational study

BackgroundFriendships play a vital role in the social lives of teenagers, and friendship quality can substantially impact the adolescents’ overall health and wellbeing. This study aimed to investigate the association between friendship quality and subjective wellbeing in Northern Irish adolescents. MethodsIn this cross-sectional observational study, we used data from the second wave of the Wellbeing in Schools Survey, conducted in Northern Ireland from April 2 to May 31, 2018. This survey used a clustering sampling method and included students aged 15–19 years. The survey was approved by the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work's Research Ethics Committee, with pupil opt-in and parental opt-out consents. Participants from the survey's initial wave in 2016 were considered eligible. Data on friendship quality and classroom friendships were gathered. Subjective wellbeing was assessed using the 7-item Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Metrics for psychological wellbeing (6 items), mood (7 items), and friendship quality (6 items) were taken from the KIDSCREEN-52 questionnaire. All items were rated on a 1–5 point Likert scale. We examined the association between friendship network quality and subjective wellbeing outcomes through social network analysis and network autocorrelation modelling. FindingsOf 1542 students invited, 1189 (77%) from 83 schools responded to the friendship network queries. Slightly more than half of these participants were female (609 [51%] girls and 580 [49%] boys), and the median age was 16 years (range 14–19, IQR 16–16). The median overall friendship score stood at 20 (IQR 18–26, with possible scores ranging from 6 to 30). Adjusted network autocorrelation models indicated that higher friendship quality scores were significantly associated with improved psychological wellbeing (β=0·3448, p<0·0001), subjective wellbeing (β=0·3075, p<0·0001), and a reduction in negative mood (β=–0·1934, p<0·0001). InterpretationThe study found that friendship quality had a significant association with mood, psychological wellbeing, and subjective wellbeing in adolescents. The results emphasise the value of fostering positive social relationships among adolescents, with a particular focus on the quality of their friendships. Next stages of this research include longitudinal analysis to test these associations more robustly. FundingTaibah University.

How adolescents’ popularity perceptions change: Measuring interactions between popularity and friendship networks

Longitudinal multivariate social network analysis (N=3692 adolescents; 136 classrooms) showed that adolescents were more likely to perceive their friends as popular but did not choose peers that they perceived to be popular as friends. Adolescents aligned their perceptions of popularity with their friends. Adolescents who received many popularity nominations attracted more popularity but not more friendship. Friends of peers seen as popular by an individual were more likely to be seen as popular by that individual. These results highlight the importance of describing popularity as a network, exploring dyadic, triadic, and group processes separately.

Mismatch of Educational Expectations, Unequal Friendships, and Depression Symptoms of Adolescents

Numerous studies have explored the links between expectations and the mental health of young people. However, they mainly focus on personal expectations and rarely consider the expectations of connected others. Using data from Waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study fills this gap by investigating how ego-friends differences in educational expectations are associated with adolescents’ depression symptoms. Results show that there was no significant difference in depressive levels between adolescents who had similarly high expectations like their friends and those with similarly low-expectation friends. However, when a mismatch exists, low-expectation adolescents had more depression symptoms than high-expectation ones. Teenagers who had low personal expectations and high-expectation friends reported higher depression scores than high-expectation ones. High-expectation adolescents with low-expectation friends felt less depressed than low-expectation individuals. This study advances our understanding of associations among expectations, friendship networks, and mental health.

Inside the Éliane Radigue Composer-Performer Circle

ABSTRACT As a composer-performer, Cat Hope has collaborated with Éliane Radigue in the creation of three new works: 2015's OCCAM HEXA II, co-composed with Carol Robinson and commissioned by Decibel new music ensemble, 2018's OCCAM XXIV for solo alto flute, and 2019's OCCAM RIVER XXIV for flute and cello. In this article, Hope traces the genesis of these works and her experience bringing these compositions to life via a shared composer-performers' circle: friendship networks and ways of being together that Hope argues are key to the success of Radigue's acoustic work. Drawing from meetings, discussions, and workshop sessions with Radigue, the experience of the evolving performance process and consultations with other Radigue performers, Hope outlines her perspective on how these works come together, link to each other, and contribute to the broader community of composer-performers.

The relationship between perceived stress and pregnancy distress with self-care of pregnant women: The mediating role of social support-A cross-sectional study.

Pregnancy is a stressful experience, which can affect different aspects of a woman's life. Yet, women with a supportive network of friends and family may experience lower stress and improved self-care behavior. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived stress and pregnancy distress with the self-care of pregnant women, as well as the mediating role of social support. This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2022 in Babol, Iran. A total of 157 pregnant women participated in the study. The participants completed five questionnaires, including a demographic and obstetric questionnaire, a Self-care questionnaire, Perceived Social support (PSS), Perceived Stress Inventory (PSI), and Pregnancy Specific Distress. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis relationships among the variables. We found that Perceived stress (β = -0.221, p = 0.012β) and pregnancy distress (β = -0.203, p = 0.002β) had a negative and significant effect on the self-care of pregnant women. Also, perceived stress (β = -0.429, p < 0.001β) and pregnancy distress (β = -0.381, p < 0.001β) had a negative and significant effect on the social support of pregnant women. The results exhibited a significant specific indirect effect between pregnancy distress, perceived stress, and pregnancy self-care, with social support as the mediator: standardized indirect effect = -0.068, -0.076, respectively. According to the findings, social support plays a direct and mediating role in improving self-care behaviors among pregnant women. Therefore, providing strategies and measures to improve perceived social support by maternal health professionals may be expected to reduce the impact of stress on pregnant women's self-care. The implementation of policies and social interventions to improve the social support of pregnant women can be one of the applications of the findings.

Effectiveness of a brief social network intervention for depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents under major chronic stress

BackgroundFriendship networks have been found to protect adolescents from depressive symptoms, yet whether adolescents’ depressive symptoms can be alleviated or reduced by altering the characteristics of their friendship networks remains unknown. ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the effectiveness of a social network intervention among Chinese adolescents suffering from major chronic stress by evaluating the change of friendship networks and depressive symptoms. MethodsA brief social network intervention, consisting of 4 face-to-face sessions once a month lasting 90 min each, was designed to facilitate friendship network formation and to optimize peer network structures. The participants were allocated to an intervention group (n = 311) or a control group (n = 1062) and were assessed four times over six months. Latent growth curve modeling was used to examine the intervention effect on network features and depressive symptoms. ResultsLatent growth curve analyses revealed that the students in the intervention group created more ties and dissolved fewer ties during the intervention, and the steep decreases of network density and proportions of reciprocity ties were offset. The intervention group also experienced a slower increase of depressive symptoms and decrease of perceived social support during the intervention. ConclusionsOur findings suggested that a brief social network intervention could effectively act on depressive symptoms among adolescents suffering from chronic major stress. This study shows the potential of network-based interventions to prevent adolescents from experiencing a risk of depression in a stressful context.

Social networks and violence victimization and perpetration among youth: A longitudinal analysis.

Interpersonal violence (IV) is a serious concern for adolescents in the United States that has devastating impacts for individuals and communities. Given the increased importance placed on friendships during adolescence, the purpose of the current study was to examine the extent to which IV experiences cluster within youths'friendship networks. Participants were students (N = 1303) in grades 7th to 10th who completed surveys at the beginning and end of an academic year. Results showed that friends'average perpetration (i.e., the percentage of the friends they nominated who perpetrated IV) was strongly associated with likelihood of individual perpetration at baseline but not at the follow-up. For victimization, friends'average report of victimization (i.e., the percentage of the friends they nominated who were victimized) was associated with higher likelihood reporting of victimization (at both baseline and follow-up). Although future research is needed to understand explanatory mechanisms underlying these findings, it is possible that the effectiveness of prevention initiatives may be enhanced by incorporating peer group information.