TY - JOUR

T1 - The moderating role of social network size in the temporal association between formal social participation and mental health

T2 - a longitudinal analysis using two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

AU - Santini, Ziggi Ivan

AU - Jose, Paul E.

AU - Koyanagi, Ai

AU - Meilstrup, Charlotte

AU - Nielsen, Line

AU - Madsen, Katrine R.

AU - Hinrichsen, Carsten

AU - Dunbar, Robin I. M.

AU - Koushede, Vibeke

PY - 2020/10/9

Y1 - 2020/10/9

N2 - Introduction Previous studies have shown that engaging in formal social participation may protect against declining mental health, but social network size (the number of close social ties a person has) may moderate the relationship. We assessed the potential moderating role of social network size using longitudinal data. Methods Nationally representative data from two consecutive waves (2011, 2013) of the SHARE survey were analyzed. The data consisted of 38,300 adults from 13 European countries aged 50 years and older in 2011. Measures pertaining to formal social participation, social network size, quality of life, and depression symptoms were used. Multivariable linear regression models were conducted. Results The majority of participants (over 70% of the sample) had a social network size of four or less close social ties. We identified significant moderations in both models. Individuals with relatively few close social ties may have benefitted from formal social participation both in terms of reductions in depression symptoms and increases in quality of life, while formal social participation among those with many social ties did not appear to be beneficial, and may even to some extent have been detrimental. Conclusions Declines in mental health specifically among those with relatively few close social ties could potentially be prevented through the promotion of formal social participation. It is possible that such strategies could have a greater impact by specifically targeting individuals that are otherwise socially isolated. High levels of formal participation among those with relatively many close social ties may not be pragmatically beneficial.

AB - Introduction Previous studies have shown that engaging in formal social participation may protect against declining mental health, but social network size (the number of close social ties a person has) may moderate the relationship. We assessed the potential moderating role of social network size using longitudinal data. Methods Nationally representative data from two consecutive waves (2011, 2013) of the SHARE survey were analyzed. The data consisted of 38,300 adults from 13 European countries aged 50 years and older in 2011. Measures pertaining to formal social participation, social network size, quality of life, and depression symptoms were used. Multivariable linear regression models were conducted. Results The majority of participants (over 70% of the sample) had a social network size of four or less close social ties. We identified significant moderations in both models. Individuals with relatively few close social ties may have benefitted from formal social participation both in terms of reductions in depression symptoms and increases in quality of life, while formal social participation among those with many social ties did not appear to be beneficial, and may even to some extent have been detrimental. Conclusions Declines in mental health specifically among those with relatively few close social ties could potentially be prevented through the promotion of formal social participation. It is possible that such strategies could have a greater impact by specifically targeting individuals that are otherwise socially isolated. High levels of formal participation among those with relatively many close social ties may not be pragmatically beneficial.

KW - Social participation

KW - Social network

KW - Quality of life

KW - Depression

KW - Aging

KW - QUALITY-OF-LIFE

KW - EARLY OLD-AGE

KW - DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

KW - D SCALE

KW - SATISFACTION

KW - PROMOTION

KW - SUPPORT

KW - ADULTS

KW - INDIVIDUALS

KW - POPULATION

U2 - 10.1007/s00127-020-01961-2

DO - 10.1007/s00127-020-01961-2

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33037448

JO - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

JF - Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

SN - 0933-7954

ER -