Differential associations of social support and social connectedness with structural features of social networks and the health status of older adults

Objective: This study explores the extent to which the constructs of social support and social connectedness differ in terms of their associations with the structural characteristics of social networks and the health status of older adults. Method: Trained interviewers conducted 126 face-to-face interviews with community-dwelling older adults aged 65 to 85 years. Results: Having frequent contact with network members was positively associated with social support. Network density and having network members living in close proximity were positively associated with perceived social connectedness. Furthermore, perceived social connectedness had a significant positive association with health status, whereas social support did not. Discussion: Perceived social connectedness may be relatively more important to the health and wellbeing of older adults than the perceived availability of social support. Efforts to enhance older adults' social relationships can be focused on developing friends and companions, allowing them to feel socially engaged in society.