Social Networks in the Aging Process: Geographical Configurations and Related Network Dynamics

Research on social isolation and loneliness in later life has emphasized family, especially nearby members, as important sources of support. Meanwhile, non-proximate and non-kin relationships have become more prevalent in older adults’ close personal networks. The present dissertation re-evaluates the role of geographic proximity and the retention of non-kin network ties to provide additional insights into older adults’ social connectedness and vulnerability to social isolation. The dissertation consists of three empirical chapters, each using longitudinal survey data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), featuring a social network module in selected waves. In the first empirical chapter, latent classes highlight the geographic layouts of older adults’ connections with family members and non-kin ties. Results show that more dispersed geographic configurations have become more common in older Europeans’ core discussion networks. Meanwhile, dispersion does not necessarily translate to lower emotional closeness with network members or decreased network satisfaction. In the second chapter, I implemented a fixed-effect model to scrutinize network losses, namely how one’s relationship and proximity to a lost connection have different impacts on loneliness. I find that network losses in proximity, even for non-kin bonds, are associated with higher loneliness. In contrast, even family losses may not exacerbate loneliness when they happen at a distance. Meanwhile, the introduction of new network members is significantly protective against network losses, including the more consequential losses of family and non-kin confidants in proximity. In the third chapter, I used logistic regression to examine whether individuals in restricted networks consisting only of a partner are less likely than others to bring in additional ties when they experience a network member loss. About a quarter of partnered older Europeans turn out to occupy such partner-exclusive networks, a rate highest among men and childless individuals. Contrary to the expectation that people in such networks are particularly vulnerable to isolation when losing their sole confidant, I find that many manage to recruit additional network members—including connections at relatively far distances. Nevertheless, men and individuals in their 60s are least likely to replenish their networks when experiencing partner losses due to death.

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