SOCIAL SUPPORT NETWORK SIZE AND GENDER COMPOSITION ACROSS THE ADULT LIFE SPAN

• Published in: Innovation in aging Vol. 2; no. suppl_1; pp. 999 - 1000
• Main Authors: Smith, K, Wilson, J, Strough, J, Parker, A, Bruine de Bruin, W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 16.11.2018
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300; 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy031.3693

The supportive function of social networks is instrumental for people of all ages. With age, social networks become smaller but more meaningful (Carstensen, 1991). Through early adulthood, social networks consist mostly of same-gender others (Mehta & Strough, 2009). The extent to which this phenomenon characterizes later adulthood is unknown. We examined the size and gender composition of social networks across adulthood. As part of a larger study, participants from RAND’s American Life Panel (N = 2036; 56.8% female, aged 20–93; Mage = 55.78; SD = 13.88) nominated up to 15 adults with whom they discuss important matters with and indicated their gender. The proportion of same-gender nominees was computed. Women reported larger networks than men (Mfemale= 10.42, SD = 4.64, Mmale = 9.74, SD = 4.85). Older age was associated with reporting larger networks (p < .001). At all ages, women were more likely than men to report networks comprised of same-gender nominees, even after controlling for marital status. An age by gender interaction showed that older women nominated significantly more same-gender network members than older men (p = .01). Results challenge existing theory, showing that older adults’ social networks aren’t smaller than younger adults’. Findings extend prior research by showing that both men and women report that the gender of the majority of people in their networks is the same as their own, and this is more pronounced among both genders in old age. Theoretical and practical implications for understanding gender and social networks across adulthood are discussed.