Lisanne C J Steijvers, Floor Leeferink, Stephanie Brinkhues, Christian J P A Hoebe, Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers
{"title":"Social networks and health behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study among older adults in the Netherlands.","authors":"Lisanne C J Steijvers, Floor Leeferink, Stephanie Brinkhues, Christian J P A Hoebe, Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers","doi":"10.1007/s10389-023-01947-9","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Social networks, all social relationships that people have, may influence people's health behavior and well-being, which was evaluated in this qualitative study in older adults. Furthermore, we evaluated people's needs for strengthening social networks.</p><p><strong>Subject and methods: </strong>For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and July 2021 among 24 adults aged 60 years and older.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Respondents provided information on social network structure (number and types of relations) and function (social support). They received informational support from friends, emotional support from their partner/spouse, and all types of support (including practical support) from family. Respondents stated that their health behavior was mainly influenced by a partner/spouse. Family and friends were mostly for socializing. To strengthen networks, in-person bilateral or small group interactions were preferred.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Family and friends were important social supporters and positively influenced health behaviors. This study emphasizes the importance of social networks in health promotion.</p>","PeriodicalId":29967,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health-Heidelberg","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2023-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10248984/pdf/","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Public Health-Heidelberg","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-023-01947-9","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Aim: Social networks, all social relationships that people have, may influence people's health behavior and well-being, which was evaluated in this qualitative study in older adults. Furthermore, we evaluated people's needs for strengthening social networks.
Subject and methods: For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted between May and July 2021 among 24 adults aged 60 years and older.
Results: Respondents provided information on social network structure (number and types of relations) and function (social support). They received informational support from friends, emotional support from their partner/spouse, and all types of support (including practical support) from family. Respondents stated that their health behavior was mainly influenced by a partner/spouse. Family and friends were mostly for socializing. To strengthen networks, in-person bilateral or small group interactions were preferred.
Conclusion: Family and friends were important social supporters and positively influenced health behaviors. This study emphasizes the importance of social networks in health promotion.