The Impact of Social Networks

1. The Impact of Social Networks Toni C. Antonucci University of Michigan RCCN Workshop on Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults NIA, Bethesda, MD December 6-7, 2018 Research reported here was supported by National Institute of Mental Health (MH46549 and MH066876), National Institute on Aging (AG13490, AG030569, AG045423), Social Relations Study Waves 1-3, Japanese Ministry, Doha, MacArthur and Templeton Foundations.

2. Social Relationships What we know • Linked to health and longevity • Impact health behaviors • Vary across contexts • Are multidimensional (structure, composition, quality) What we do not know • How links to health shaped by context • How to incorporate into interventions • Most effective aspects at changing & sustaining health behavior Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

3. Theoretical Perspectives Convoy Model of Social Relations Personal Characteristics Health & Well-being Convoy Structure Convoy Support Convoy Quality Situational Characteristics • Personal characteristics (i.e., education, age) • Situational characteristics (i.e., housing context) Antonucci, T.C., Birditt, K.S., & Ajrouch, K. (2011). Convoys of social relations: Past, present, and future. In K.L. Fingerman, J. Smith, & C. Berg (Eds.), Handbook of life-span development (pp.161-182). New York: Springer Publishing Company. Kahn, R.L., & Antonucci, T.C. (1980). Convoys over the life course: Attachment, roles, and social support. In P.B. Baltes, & O. Brim (Eds.), Life-span development and behavior(Vol. 3). New York: Academic Press. Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

4. Measured Social Relations with Hierarchical Mapping Technique • Network Structure • Network size: 0-35 • Contact frequency • Proximity • Network Composition • % inner circle • % family • % younger than 25 YOU Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

5. State of the Art/Cutting Edge Data Both quantity and quality of relations are important Ambivalence is common – may even be useful Multiple sources of support preferable but not possible People are psychological – so is a major aspect of the social relations Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

6. State of the Art/Cutting Edge Data Mutiple sources of data are useful Positive and Negative Support Networks Biology and neuroscience offering new insights Social relations - both objective and subjective; modifiable Need to know more about how Social relations are dynamic –important for intervention work Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

7. Some Data: MAC House intervention in HUD Senior housing Areas: physical, intellectual, social, community Exercise group: donated equipment; music; young instructor; visitors; singing; turn taking • Stability – for 80+ very important • Improvement – intellectual, community, social, <falls, < ER visits; energy • Decline – just one, functional health Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

8. More Data: HUMILITY: Detroit area; 3 groups Humility: Whites < Blacks < Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) Older people: smaller networks & humble +health No link for older people with larger networks Whites only: more humility better health, < dep Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

9. Some Data: FORGIVENESS People with larger networks  more Forgiving Whites < Blacks; Whites < MENA More Forgiving <Depressive Symptoms Larger network influences Depressive Symptoms through Forgiveness We Forgive people we feel close to regardless of Race/Ethnicity Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

10. FOUR NATIONS US, Japan, Mexico and Lebanon Similarities Differences Associations Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

11. Major Gaps in the Field • Conceptual: • The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly • Are ‘conversion’ experiences possible? • Can problematic relationships be managed? • Can you 86 close relations? • The good, the bad and the ugly Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

12. Major Gaps in the Field • Methodological: • How to assess what is really needed? • What kind of samples are best? • Can multiple sources of data collection be used? • The good, the bad and the ugly Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

13. Major Gaps in the Field • Practical: • Can non-experts do it? • What is most needed? • Does intent count more than anything else? Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018

14. Social Relations and Interventions: Recommendations • Be Planful – health maintenance; health behaviors; memory training, living circumstances • Be Flexible – marathon running, wheelchair exercises; plan different social relations life as a couple, a widow, a friend, an Ann Arbor resident • Be Different – conventional/new treatment; diets; drugs; life styles, relationships • Be revolutionary – think outside the box; make sure it works for you Toni Antonucci, "Achieving and Sustaining Behavior Change to Benefit Older Adults" Dec 6-7, 2018