Social networks and links to isolation and loneliness among elderly HCBS clients

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the network types of HCBS clients based on the structural characteristics of their social networks. We also examined how the network types were associated with social isolation, relationship quality and loneliness.

Method: Forty personal interviews were carried out with HCBS clients to assess the structure of their social networks as indicated by frequency of contact with children, friends, family and participation in religious and community organizations. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted to identify network types.

Results: Four network types were found including: family (n = 16), diverse (n = 8), restricted (n = 8) and religious (n = 7). Family members comprised almost half of participants’ social networks, and friends comprised less than one-third. Clients embedded in family, diverse and religious networks had significantly more positive relationships than clients embedded in restricted networks. Clients embedded in restricted networks had significantly higher social isolation scores and were lonelier than clients in diverse and family networks.

Discussion: The findings suggest that HCBS clients’ isolation and loneliness are linked to the types of social networks in which they are embedded. The findings also suggest that clients embedded in restricted networks are at high risk for negative outcomes.

Keywords:

• social support
• quality of life/well-being
• types of services

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Central Plains Area Agency on Aging and the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services for their support and cooperation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Note

Notes

1. There was one outlier case found in the sample. This participant had high rates of contact with children, family, religious service attendance, and meeting attendance, but not with friends. This participant was also our oldest, at age 96, and this finding may be a residual effect of age, as most of her friends had likely passed away.

Additional information

Funding

Funding for this project was provided by the Wichita State University Institute on Aging.